Another Home Test: Dynamo Host Champs Before Leagues Cup
(image via Houston Dynamo FC)
The Houston Dynamo have one final MLS match before moving to Leagues Cup. They’ll welcome the LA Galaxy to Shell Energy Stadium for some action under the Friday night lights. The Dynamo picked up a 1-1 draw agains the Philadelphia Union last Saturday. The Galaxy drew 3-3 against their rival LAFC in their last match.
When: Friday, July 25 | 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
Home Again
Tonight’s match will be the third straight league match for the Dynamo at home. After this game, they play three straight LigaMX opponents at Shell Energy Stadium for Leagues Cup. The Dynamo have struggled at home this season but picked up a point against the Supporters Shield leaders this past weekend. Can they build on that as they take on the defending champions, with Mexican giants Tigres right around the corner?
Injury Bug Returns
Both Ezequiel Ponce and Franco Escobar had to leave the match against Philadelphia with injuries. Escobar is suspended for yellow card accumulation so he will miss tonight’s match, regardless. Ponce is listed as questionable. If the DP striker can’t go, look for Gabe Segal to get another start, his first since scoring a brace on the road against New York City FC. Toyosi Olusanya is an also an option to play as the 9, and we saw Ondrej Lingr move up front against the Union went Ponce went out. Ben Olsen will have some options, but whoever steps in will be counted on to find goals against a stout LA Galaxy.
The Champs are Here
The Galaxy won MLS Cup this season but then struggled mightily out of the gates in 2025. They played the Dynamo to a draw in California in April in the middle of what ended up being a 16 match winless run. They still sit bottom of the Western Conference but they have gotten their stars back. Gabriel Pec and Joseph Painstil are one of the best attacking duos in all of MLS and Marco Reus has gotten comfortable in the league and is playing like the star he was expected to be.
Houston Dynamo FC – Out: Nelson Quiñones (knee), Andrew Tarbell (knee), Erik Sviatchenko (lower body), Franco Escobar (yellow card accumulation); Questionable: Ezequiel Ponce (lower body)
LA Galaxy – Out: Riqui Puig (knee), Maya Yoshida (thigh); Questionable: Gabriel Pec (lower leg)
Predicted Lineup
