Houston Dynamo Seek Derby Redemption in Frisco Showdown
(image via Aldo Canale)
The Houston Dynamo take the short trip north to Frisco for another Texas Derby tonight against FC Dallas. The Dynamo are coming off a 2-0 win over Minnesota United. Dallas, much to Ben Olsen’s chagrin, did not play midweek. FCD drew 1-1 against Real Salt Lake in their last match a week ago.
When: Saturday, May 17 | 7:40 PM CT kickoff
Where: Toyota Stadium; Frisco, Texas
TV/Stream: MLS Season Pass on Apple TV
Radio: TUDN Deportes Houston 93.3 FM (Spanish)
Defensive Depth on Display
Going into Wednesday’s match against Minnesota, I wrote in the preview how the defense was a big question mark with suspensions and players out injured. Felipe Andrade and Pablo Ortiz made their first starts in that match and both scored goals as the defense posted a clean sheet. Now Franco Escobar and Femi Awodesu return from suspension and Olsen and the coaching staff have decisions to make. Escobar has been in great form this season but missed the last two matches with suspension. Awodesu has struggled in matches but Ortiz is still building up to fitness. Erik Sviatchenko is also working back from his injury. Griffin Dorsey is the one constant at right back, but the other three spots on the back line look to have a lot of competition now.
Derby Revenge
FC Dallas came into Shell Energy Stadium and took the first Texas Derby of 2025 on the first matchday of the season. Houston went ahead in the match but Dallas scored twice, on Dynamo defensive mistakes, to take the three points back to Frisco. Now in the second installment of the rivalry this season, the scene shifts to Toyota Stadium where Houston will try to return the favor and win away from home. The Dynamo have not won in Frisco since 2011, making 15 trips in a row to north Texas without a victory. Is today the day they snap that skid?
Lucho and the Lads
FC Dallas comes into this Derby in a bit of up-and-down form. Thet drew RSL at home last weekend and won in US Open Cup play the Wednesday before that. In their other match this month they were crushed 5-0 by San Diego. Their only other win since March, outside beating USL League One club AV Alta in the USOC was a 4-3 win over an Inter Miami side resting a number of players. So, which side will the Dynamo see tonight? One thing is for sure, whatever FCD does, Lucho Acosta will be at the center of it. Acosta, along with Petar Musa and Anderson Julio all have three goals on the season in a Dallas attack that is still gelling. The Houston defense will look to contain Acosta, and not shoot themselves in the foot like they did when the teams last met in February.
Houston Dynamo – Out: Lawrence Ennali (knee), Nelson Quinones (knee), Andrew Tarbell (knee), Daniel Steres (lower body), Erik Sviatchenko (lower body)
FC Dallas – Out: Leo Chu (knee), Geovane Jesus (knee), Sebastian Lletget (upper leg), Enzo Newman (knee); Questionable: Maarten Paes (illness)
Predicted Lineup
