Houston Dynamo Look to Break Through Against Struggling Real Salt Lake
(image via Houston Dynamo FC)
The Houston Dynamo return to Shell Energy Stadium for a midweek Western Conference match up with Real Salt Lake. The Dynamo picked up a point after a 0-0 draw against the Charlotte FC over the weekend. Real Salt Lake also had a draw in their last match, 2-2 against LAFC.
When: Wednesday, September 9 | 7:40 PM CT kickoff
Where: Shell Energy Stadium; Houston, Texas
TV/Stream: Apple TV
Iron Curtain
The Houston Dynamo’s defense has been on an impressive run, conceding just two goals across their last eight matches. They’re even better in the fortress of Shell Energy Stadium. Houston is the first team since Montreal in 2023 to allow one goal in a span of seven home matches and this is the second time the Dynamo have achieved that feat, also doing it from May to August 2016. The Dynamo are also the first team since New York City FC in 2022 to keep a clean sheet in seven of eight matches. Lucas Halter’s return from injury, the emergence of Agustin Resch, and Jonathan Bond’s shot-stopping have all lead to this Houston team putting up historic numbers on the defensive end.
Looking for Answers
As good as the defense has been, the offense has been on the opposite end of that spectrum. The Dynamo have scored just three goals in their last five matches. Summer signing Duncan McGuire has not scored in 12 straight matches, going back to his time in Orlando, while Houston still searches for its first goal of the season from a striker. Lyle Foster is still not yet in Houston as he awaits his visa, so if McGuire is not leading the line, it could be Mateusz Bogusz back at striker with Lawrence Ennali on the wing. The Dynamo are getting chances, they had 18 shots against Charlotte on Saturday, but only five were on target and there were no goals to show for it. Houston needs to find its shooting boots and start converting chances, from whoever can find the back of the net.
Salt Lake Struggles
Real Salt Lake is currently winless in nine straight league matches, their longest drought since 2007. Zavier Gozo is gone to Crystal Palace and Diego Luna and Morgan Guilavogui have been on a poor run of form. Defensively, RSL has conceded 12 goals in its last five matches across all competitions. This looks like a match where the Dynamo should right their recent wrongs but, Salt Lake has won the three previous meetings, including winning at Shell Energy Stadium last season. With that being said, with the form RSL is in and the Dynamo battling at the top of the Western Conference, three points are a must for Houston.
Houston Dynamo FC – Out: Felipe Andrade (suspension), Jimmy Maurer (head), Lyle Foster (not due to injury); Questionable: Marcelo Saracchi (lower body)
Real Salt Lake – Out: Zach Booth (hamstring), Griffon Dillon (foot), Justen Glad (adductor), Ariath Piol (Achilles); Questionable: Emeka Eneli (knee), Morgan Guilavogui (knee), Sam Junqua (head), Stijn Spierings (ankle)
Predicted Lineup
