THE BASICS
Houston Dynamo vs. Real Sociedad
BBVA Compass Dynamo Charities Cup
Tuesday, May 24, 2016, 6:15 p.m. CT
BBVA Compass Stadium, Houston, Texas
BROADCAST INFORMATION
HoustonDynamo.com/live - 6:30 p.m.
PREVIEW
The Houston Dynamo break from league play to host Real Sociedad of Spain's Liga BBVA in the eighth-annual BBVA Compass Dynmao Charities Cup. The Dynamo are 4-3 all-time in the Charities Cup, with wins over Santos Laguna, Stoke City, Monterrey and Aguila. Tuesday is the first-ever meeting between the Dynamo and Real Sociedad. The Spanish club completed the Liga BBVA season with two consecutive wins to finish tied for eighth place in Spain’s top division. The 2015-16 season for the White- and-Blue was highlighted by a win over eventual league champions FC Barcelona on April 3.
INJURY REPORT, PRESENTED BY HOUSTON METHODIST (as of May 19)
HOUSTON DYNAMO—PROBABLE: RaĂşl RodrĂguez – right quadriceps strain
CHARITIES CUP HISTORY
The Dynamo Charities Cup tradition started in 2009, when the Dynamo hosted Mexican club Monterrey at Robertson Stadium and earned a 2-1 win behind goals from Geoff Cameron and Dominic Oduro.
The Dynamo welcomed Aguila of El Salvador in 2010, and goals from Joseph Ngwenya, Corey Ashe, Oduro and Luis Angel Landin secured a 4-0 victory.
In 2011, the Dynamo brought their first European competition to town in the form of former Dynamo star Stuart Holden’s new club, Bolton Wanderers. Bolton handed the Dynamo their first loss in the friendly competition with a 2-0 score.
In 2012, Spanish powerhouse Valencia was one of the first clubs to visit the new BBVA Compass Stadium (just 19 days after its opening), and left with a 2-1 victory in front of a sellout crowd behind two goals from forward Aritz Aduriz. Dynamo forward Calen Carr left the home fans with something to talk about after he drove home a spectacular 22-yard goal into the upper corner.
In 2013, England’s Stoke City visited Houston to kick off its three-city U.S. tour in the return of former Dynamo star and U.S. international Geoff Cameron, who transferred to Stoke City in 2012. Two Englishman provided the goals – a free kick from Andrew Driver in the 11th minute and a long run and finish from Giles Barnes in the 88th minute – as the Dynamo earned a 2-0 triumph.
In 2014, Joe Bennett scored late in the first half as Aston Villa finished its Texas tour with a 1-0 win over the Dynamo.
Last year, Mauro Manotas and Chandler Hoffman each scored two goals as the Dynamo captured the BBVA Compass Dynamo Charities Cup with a 4-0 victory over Santos Laguna.
CHARITIES BENEFIT
BBVA Compass and the Houston Dynamo announced that proceeds of the 2016 BBVA Compass Dynamo Charities Cup will benefit the Pursuit for those with disABILITIES bicycle ride, a 3,500-mile cross-country trek to raise money and awareness for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
REAL SOCIEDAD OPENS U.S. TOUR IN SAN JOSE
Real Sociedad began their U.S. trip with a stop in the Bay Area to take on the San Jose Earthquakes last Wednesday night.
Sociedad took the lead in the 10th minute. David Zurutuza found Alberto de la Bella in the box, and the Spanish forward beat Bryan Meredith with his shot. San Jose came back to level just before the half, with Chris Wondolowski taking a pass from Shea Salinas near the penalty spot and finishing for the equalizer. Wondolowski picked up a brace and scored the game winner in the 79th minute with a long-range goal.
Real Sociedad played 17 players in the friendly, including Mexican star Carlos Vela (73rd minute substitute). The team traveled to Houston on Friday and trained at Rice University in Houston on Sunday and Monday in advance of Tuesday's charity match.
