LAFC at Houston Dynamo
Saturday, June 10 at 5:30pm PT
Location: Shell Energy Stadium - Houston, Texas
Radio: 710 AM ESPN, ESPN LA App, 980 AM La Mera Mera
Despite outshooting the visitors 22-4, LAFC played to a 0-0 draw against Atlanta United FC on Wednesday, June 7 at BMO Stadium. The Black & Gold now travel to face the Houston Dynamo on Saturday, June 10 at Shell Energy Stadium in the first of two straight matches vs. the Dynamo.
LAFC has lost just once (5-1-4) to the Dynamo in the Club’s history, a 2-1 defeat on Aug. 31, 2022, however, the team is just 1-1-2 in Houston, and also fell to the Dynamo in penalty kicks in the 2018 U.S. Open Cup Quarterfinals.
Despite sitting third in MLS for most goals scored this season, the Black & Gold are in a bit of a goal-scoring drought, as they have been shutout for three straight home games (in all competitions) for the first time in Club history. LAFC has only scored one goal in their last four matches in all competitions, which included an Open Cup game, two Champions League matches and Wednesday’s tie vs. Atlanta United.
Forward Denis Bouanga is among the goalscoring leaders in MLS with 10 goals in 2023, and the Gabon international is a leader in the MVP race.
The Dynamo are coming off a big win after securing their spot in the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup semifinals by defeating the Chicago Fire 4-1 in the quarterfinals on Tuesday, June 6.
DYNAMO IN-DEPTH
Led by head coach Ben Olsen, the Dynamo are in a battle to get above the playoff line as they have not made the playoffs since 2017. The Club currently sit in 10th place with 18 points through 15 matches played.
While they have had their struggles on the road (0-6-2), the Dynamo have proven they are a tough team to beat at home (5-1-1).
The Club is led by Mexican international and Designated Player Héctor Herrera, who has scored three goals and added four assists through 13 matches, while midfielder Amine Bassi has tacked on six goals of his own in 12 games.
LAFC WILL WIN IF
They play like they did on Wednesday vs. Atlanta….But are able to put their missed opportunities behind them. The Black & Gold were not able to convert on any of their eight shots on target. They need to take advantage of any Dynamo mistakes on Saturday in a hostile and high temperature environment.
DYNAMO CAN WIN IF
They can feed off their home crowd and build on the momentum created with Tuesday’s Open Cup win on the road. The Dynamo will most likely come in a 4-2-3-1 lineup as they look to control possession in hopes of wearing down an LAFC team playing in the usual extreme heat of a Houston summer.
