Early Statement: Dynamo Face Star-Studded LAFC at Shell Energy Stadium
(image via Ricky Vega)
The Houston Dynamo welcome LAFC to Shell Energy Stadium tonight for a big, early-season test. Houston is coming off a 2-1 come-from-behind victory in last weekend’s season opener. LAFC dominated reigning MLS Cup Champion Inter Miami 3-0 in their opening match last Saturday night.
When: Saturday, February 28 | 7:40 PM CT kickoff
Where: Shell Energy Stadium; Houston, Texas
TV/Stream: Apple TV
Radio: TUDN Deportes 102.9 FM (Spanish)
Unwatned Deja Vu
The Dynamo welcome a star-studded squad to Shell Energy Stadium on Matchday 2 of the stadium with a full-crowd expected. Sound familiar? The same thing happened last season when Inter Miami (minus Lionel Messi) visited Houston. The visitors dominated with a 4-1 victory to pile on the Dynamo’s early season woes. There are some differences in last year to this. Houston lost the season opener the week before that game, losing to FC Dallas 2-1. This time they come in off a victory. This Dynamo side also is very different than that one that played Miami. Only four players remain on the Houston roster that started that game. And none of the five subs are still here. So, while it may feel like a repeat of last season, the Dynamo are looking to flush that memory away.
The New Wingbacks
A shift in formation and style of play has the Dynamo playing with wingbacks on each side of the field. This was a role suited for Griffin Dorsey but a trade days before the season opener sent him to Orlando. In the win over Chicago, Houston used Lawrence Ennali on the left and Duane Holmes on the right. Ben Olsen said on Friday that Ennali is natural for the position and he’s taken to it well with his stamina and ability to come inside at times. Holmes (who we spoke to earlier this week) played as a wingback earlier in his career in England and is re-learning the position here in Houston. We even saw Ondrej Lingr replace Holmes in the second half and play in the wingback role. Olsen reiterated Friday that the team was looking to bring in a more natural right back but for now, the guys they have seem to be up for the challenge.
Hollywood Stars
I mentioned it earlier but LAFC brings their star power to downtown Houston tonight. Olsen called them the best team in Major League Soccer and one of the best the league has ever seen. That is buoyed by their goal scoring machines in Denis Bouanga and Son Heung-Min. Bouanga has scored goals for fun since joining LAFC and Son is a Premier League legend and global superstar. If that wasn’t enough, their midfield may be the best this league has seen in some time with Timothy Tillman, Mark Delgado, and newcomer Stephen Eustaquio. Round all that off with World Cup winner Hugo Lloris in goal and you can see why so many people have picked LAFC to win multiple trophies this season. It’s a big test for the Dynamo but one that could go a long way in showing what this Houston team can be in 2026.
Houston Dynamo FC – Out: Artur (lower body) Reese Miller (lower body); Questionable: Felipe Andrade (hip), Franco Negri (hip), Ezequiel Ponce (lower body)
LAFC – Out: Lorenzo Dellavalle (leg), Jeremy Ebobisse (leg), Igor Jesus (leg), Aaron Long (leg), Jacob Shaffelburg (pelvis)
Predicted Lineup
