A Test of Resolve: Dynamo Face League-Leading Union After Crushing Defeat
(image via Derek Boyd)
The Houston Dynamo will look to rebound quickly after a brutal loss midweek as they welcome the Philadelphia Union to Shell Energy Stadium tonight. The Dynamo are coming off a 3-0 loss to the Vancouver Whitecaps at home on Wednesday. Philadelphia also played on Wednesday, beating CF Montreal 2-1 at home.
When: Saturday, July 19 | 7:40 PM CT kickoff
Where: Shell Energy Stadium; Houston, Texas
TV/Stream: MLS Season Pass on Apple TV
Radio: TUDN Deportes 93.3 FM
What Was That?
There have been some bad Houston Dynamo seasons in the past decade, littered with really poor losses. Wednesday’s 3-0 home loss to Vancouver might just rank right up there. Coming off a loss to Real Salt Lake, against a struggling Vancouver side, the Dynamo looked flat and were beaten soundly. Unfortunately, this seems to be a pattern this season as Houston has also suffered bad defeats at home to Sporting Kansas City and CF Montreal, among others. The Dynamo’s seven home losses are a franchise worst, and it’s still only July.
Dried Up
After breaking out for four goals in an upset on the road against San Diego FC, the Dynamo have scored none in their last two matches. Before that win in San Diego, Houston scored just one goal in each of the previous four matches. When will Ben Olsen and staff find the offensive combination that clicks? Do Ondrej Lingr and Duane Holmes get a chance to start? There are a lot of question marks that will only be answered when the Dynamo start finding the back of the net.
A More Perfect Union
Philadelphia parted ways with long time head coach Jim Curtin after last season and a lot of people around the league wondered what they were doing. Then they hired former St. Louis CITY SC boss Bradley Carnell and more questions were asked. Well, wonder and ask no more. The Union sit atop the Supporters Shield standings this season and are proving they are the best team in Major League Soccer. Led by the goal-scoring of Tai Baribo and the shot-stopping of Andre Blake, this Philadelphia side will press and cause chaos, leading to win after win. Now they come to Houston with a fragile Dynamo side still licking their wounds.
Houston Dynamo FC – Out: Nelson Quiñones (knee), Andrew Tarbell (knee), Erik Sviatchenko (lower body), Brooklyn Raines (yellow card accumulation)
Philadelphia Union – Out: Ian Glavinovich (knee)
Predicted Lineup
