Final Flicker: Dynamo Seek Consolation Win in Leagues Cup Exit
(image via Aldo Canale)
The Houston Dynamo will finish their play in Leagues Cup tonight as they host CF Pachuca at Shell Energy Stadium. The Dynamo lost their first two matches of the tournament and have been eliminated, with no chance to advance to the knockout rounds. Pachuca need to win, and likely by as many goals as possible, to try and finish as one of the top four Liga MX teams and advance.
When: Tuesday, August 5 | 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
Dead Rubber
Tonight’s match means nothing for the Houston Dynamo, as far as Leagues Cup is concerned, after they were unable to pick up any points in their first two matches and mathematically cannot finish as one of the top four teams from Major League Soccer. Although it may mean nothing in this tournament, league play resumes with a trip to Austin on Saturday, just four days from now. That match in Austin has massive implications for the playoff push that this Houston team is looking to go on. Expect another lineup full of back ups against Pachuca, maybe even more than we saw on Friday.
Taking Something
While it doesn’t matter in the grand scheme of things, there are still a lot of things to play for in this match from the Houston Dynamo players’ perspective. Midfielder Junior Urso spoke yesterday about representing the club well. The Dynamo are currently dead last in the MLS table in this tournament and have scored just one goal while conceding six. There’s also the chance to eliminate Pachuca, a team that Houston had some big matches with years ago. But maybe more importantly than all of that, according to Urso, “it’s time to change our way and time to win.” Returning to league play off the heels of a win over one of the best teams in Concacaf would do wonders for this team, regardless of who is in the lineup.
Pachuca Pile-On
Pachuca come into this match with four points after beating San Diego FC and losing a penalty shootout to LAFC. They will need all three points tonight to get to seven and give themselves a chance at finishing in the top four. There are a lot of games to play so even getting to seven may not be enough. Pachuca will also want to score as many goals as they can to improve their goal difference for tiebreakers, which is currently at +1. Former MLS striker Jhonder Cadiz will be suspended tonight after being sent off against LAFC. Whoever leads the line for Pachuca in his stead will looking to pile-on the goals.
Houston Dynamo FC – No availability report listed
CF Pachuca – No availability report listed
Predicted Lineup
