Previewing Houston Dynamo vs D.C. United with The District Press
(image via D.C. United)
The Houston Dynamo return to league play with a match up against D.C. United. We talked to our friend Donald Wine from The District Press to get some insight on United ahead of tonight’s match.
Bayou City Soccer (BCS): It's another match up of D.C. United vs their former star and coach Ben Olsen. How is Olsen still received by United fans?
The District Press (TDP): DC United fans still love and adore Ben Olsen. Sure, he's going to be on the other side on Wednesday night, but he's forever part of the legacy and fabric of the club. And, in many ways, he's the last link to the club's past. So, of course we're not going to be rooting for him when the two teams take the field, but he still gets love from the fans.
BCS: On the field, D.C. conceded 10 goals in their last 5 matches before the break. What do you think has led to some of their defensive struggles?
TDP: They've made some key mistakes and turnovers that have caused teams to put pressure on the defense and score. It's something that the club said they have worked on during the World Cup break, and they're hoping better organization and chemistry will help lock down the defensive end of things. But, the test will be whether they can get the ball out of the defensive end quickly and move the other way down the field. They need the midfield to be better at holding possession, because losing the ball in precarious areas on the field have added to the pressure the defense has to sustain.
BCS: Tai Baribo and Louis Munteanu lead the line for United and have combined for 13 league goals this season. Do they have the pieces around them to make this offense good enough to compete among the league's best?
TDP: They've added a couple more during the break in Andre Dozzell and Nathan Ordaz, but Ordaz may take a few weeks to factor into the lineup. The big thing that DC United needs to improve is their service into parts of the field where guys can take shots on goal and do damage. Baribo has been terrific for much of the season in working hard to earn the ball and then get the chances to finish, and while it took Munteanu a few weeks to really get his feet under him, he was starting to get his chances as the team approached the break. They need more guys to provide service and get into dangerous areas, and that's been what's limited the goal production at times.
BCS: With D.C. in the Eastern Conference, Dynamo fans may not get to see them as much. Who are some other players fans should keep an eye on tomorrow night?
TDP: Jackson Hopkins is one of the really good young players in this league, and he has a ton of experience. Keisuke Kurokawa and SIlvan Hefti have been solid at the fullback positions, and Nikola Markovic (the #1 pick in the 2026 MLS Superdraft) has showed some versatility and has started to see the game slow down for him.
BCS: Do D.C. have any injury concerns coming into this match and what do you expect the United lineup to be?
TDP: Jordan Farr (3rd string goalkeeper) and Conner Antley (defense) are the only guys that are hurt and unavailable. DC United head coach René Weiler said during media availability on Monday that everyone else is healthy and available for selection against Houston.
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We want to thank Donald for his time and wish our friends in D.C. the best of luck tonight.
