The Basics
2019 MLS Regular Season - Week 23
Philadelphia Union vs. Houston Dynamo
Talen Energy Stadium - Chester
August 11 - 5:00 PM CT
Broadcast Information
Kube57 & TeleXitos
Preview
The Philadelphia Union look to extend their lead atop the Eastern Conference when they host the Houston Dynamo on Sunday at Talen Energy Stadium.
The Union (12-7-6) enter with a three-point lead ahead of second-place Atlanta United following a 5-1 thrashing of D.C. United at Audi Field last Saturday. Alejandro Bedoya set the tone early in the first half, and Marco Fabian struck in first-half stoppage time to give the visitors a two-goal halftime lead. Kacper Przybylko then made it 3-0 in the 52nd minute. After Frederic Brillant gave the hosts a lifeline two minutes later, Fabian had his brace in the 72nd minute and Fafa Picault closed the scoring in the 90th minute.
The Dynamo (9-12-3) rallied from an early deficit, though conceded twice late and fell to New York City FC, 3-2, at Yankee Stadium on Thursday night. Juan David Cabezas canceled out Alexandru Mitrita's opening goal with a 26th-minute equalizer. Even after Romell Quioto was sent off on a straight red card in the 29th minute for a forearm to the back of Ronald Matarrita's head, the Dynamo led after Mauro Manotas scored against the run of play in the 77th minute. But Taty Castellanos scored a late brace, leaving Houston to drop a third straight game and lose for the sixth time in the last seven games.
Three Points
GOALS ON THE ROAD – The Dynamo have scored five goals in their last two matches away from BBVA Stadium and look to maintain the trend after challenges at home in their last three matches across all competitions. Houston has only scored one goal at home in their last three outings in EaDo and look to maximize their time on the road as six of their final 10 games will be away from home. A victory on Sunday would give Houston its third triumph away from BBVA Stadium this season, the most since the 2014 MLS regular season.
ELIS RETURNS TO THE MIX – Alberth Elis will join the Dynamo in Philadelphia after serving a one-game suspension for yellow card accumulation. The Honduran international will look for his first goal since finishing with a brace in a 4-0 victory over the New York Red Bulls on July 3 at BBVA Stadium. The Union is one of seven teams that the Honduran international has not scored against and this will be the second time Elis faces the Union in league play.
PHILLY ON THE PROWL FOR TOP SEED – The Union sit at the top of the Eastern Conference after a 5-1 victory over D.C. United last Sunday. Union FW Kacper Przybylko scored his team-leading 10th goal of the season and midfielder Marco Fabian finished with a brace and tallied an assist. The Mexican international and Jamiro Monteiro have combined for 10 goals and nine assists this season as the Union cling to a three-point cushion at the top of the Eastern Conference.
