Houston Dynamo Seek Payback in Road Clash With LAFC
(image via Aldo Canale)
The Houston Dynamo are in Los Angeles for a Sunday night meeting with LAFC. This will mark the second meeting of these two teams this season, as LAFC won 2-0 at Shell Energy Stadium in February.
When: Sunday, May 10 | 8:10 PM CT kickoff
Where: BMO Stadium; Los Angeles, California
TV/Stream: Apple TV
Seeing Red
When these two teams met in February, it looked to be a 0-0 game heading into half time. That is, until Dynamo center back Antonio Carlos was shown a controversial red card for a challenge on Son Heung-Min. LAFC would take advantage with a goal from Mark Delgado after a short corner before Agustin Bouzat also saw red for a challenge on Son and reduced Houston to nine men. This was part of a rash of early season red cards for the Dynamo that has since gotten better. Going toe-to-toe with LAFC with eleven men should give Houston confidence going into this match. They just need to keep their heads and play with poise, knowing that the LAFC stars could get a favorable call when given the opportunity.
A Nice Rest
It may not seem like much but the Dynamo have gone eight days since playing their last match. That is a welcome sign after a busy last few weeks, and a busy upcoming schedule. After tonight’s match, Houston has four matches in an eleven-day strecth before the league breaks for the World Cup. The Dynamo will be as rested as they have been in some time for tonight’s contest. They need to do what they can to take advantage of this against LAFC, especially after the hosts had to travel to Mexico to play Toluca in Concacaf Champions Cup on Wednesday of this past week.
The Stars Are Out
LAFC will be without winger Denis Bouanga in this match after he picked up his fifth yellow card of the season against San Diego and will serve a one-game suspension. Even without Bouanga, LAFC have plenty of star-power. Son is the top of that list but as Ben Olsen said in his press conference on Saturday, LAFC are a very good team with a core of 20 players who are a challenge, no matter who plays. Hugo Lloris leads a defense that has allowed just eight goals in eleven league matches and LAFC have nine players, besides Bouanga, who have scored a goal in MLS play.
Houston Dynamo FC – Out: Lucas Halter (lower body), Jimmy Maurer (head); Questionable: Erik Sviatchenko (lower body)
LAFC – Out: Amin Boudri (leg), Igor Jesus (leg), Denis Bouanga (yellow card accumulation)
Predicted Lineup
