THE BASICS
Houston Dynamo vs. FC Dallas
Saturday, March 12, 2016, 7:15 p.m.
BBVA Compass Stadium, Houston, Texas
TICKETS
BROADCAST INFORMATION
ROOT SPORTS Alternate - 7:00 p.m.
650 AM / Radio.com app - 7:00 p.m.
Univision Radio 1010 AM - 7:00 p.m.
PREVIEW
The tussle for El Capitán is renewed when the Houston Dynamo and FC Dallas meet for the first time this season in the Texas Derby on Saturday evening at BBVA Compass Stadium. Both teams came away with points from their season openers. The Dynamo nearly had the full three points, before the New England Revolution struck back with a late equalizer for a 3-3 draw. FC Dallas opened their season in fine form, strolling to a 2-0 win against Philadelphia Union.
REFEREE: Jorge Gonzalez. AR1 (bench): Jeff Muschik; AR2 (opposite): Matthew Nelson; 4th: Younes Marrakchi
MLS Career: 126 games; FC/gm: 25.3; Y/gm: 3.4; R: 39; pens: 31
INJURY REPORT, PRESENTED BY HOUSTON METHODIST (as of March 10)
HOUSTON DYNAMO–OUT: Collen Warner – Bi-lateral hamstring strain; Tyler Deric – R abdominal strain; QUESTIONABLE: Sheanon Williams – L hamstring strain;
FC DALLAS–OUT: Alejandro Zendejas - Osteitis Pubis; QUESTIONABLE: Coy Craft - Meniscus surgery recovery; Fabian Castillo - Adductor strain;
HEAD-TO-HEAD
- ALL-TIME (24 meetings): Dynamo 9 wins, 33 goals … FC Dallas 8 wins, 36 goals … Ties 7
- AT HOUSTON (12 meetings): Dynamo 6 wins, 19 goals … FC Dallas 3 wins, 20 goals … Ties 3
- RETURN MATCHES: 6/2: FC Dallas vs. Houston Dynamo, 8 p.m. CT; 8/27: Houston Dynamo vs. FC Dallas, 8 p.m. CT
- LAST YEAR (MLS): 5/1: HOU 1, DAL 4 (Barnes 32 – Hollingshead 9; Texeira 21; Diaz 52; Castillo 55); 6/26: DAL 2, HOU 0 (own goal 33; Castillo 42); 10/4: DAL 4, HOU 1 (Diaz 25; Texeira 51, 93+; Acosta 53 – Clark 36)
- FC Dallas have won the last five meetings between the teams, over the last three seasons. FCD has won the last two meetings at BBVA Compass Stadium, just their second and third wins all-time in Houston in 14 meetings in all competitions, the first since 2010.
- FCD has won three games in a row in Frisco, the last Dynamo victory there coming in 2011.
- The clubs play for “El Capitán”, the 19th-century Mountain Howitzer cannon to be awarded to the winner of the season series by supporters groups for both clubs. Last year was the first season since 2011 the teams met more than once in the regular season, with both back in the Western Conference.
- Coaches record: Owen Coyle vs. DAL: P3 W0 L3 T0 … Oscar Pareja vs. HOU: P6 W5 L0 T1
HOUSTON DYNAMO
The Houston Dynamo nearly came away with a victory to open the new season, but were hauled back for a late 3-3 draw by the New England Revolution on Sunday afternoon at BBVA Compass Stadium. The Dynamo are in a tie for sixth place in the Western Conference with 1 point from 1 game.
LAST GAME
- The Revolution got off to a flyer when Diego Fagundez drilled a vicious half-volley inside the left-hand post of Dynamo goalkeeper Joe Willis from long range just three minutes after kickoff.
- But a defensive gaffe by the visitors gifted Houston an equalizer just before halftime as Cristian Maidana tapped home after New England goalkeeper Bobby Shuttleworth was unable to clear. Then another Dynamo debutant, Andrew Wenger, struck from the right side of the area to give his side the lead in the 50th minute.
- The Revolution were back level barely two minutes later as Charlie Davies scored from a rebound of his own shot from close range after New England beat a poorly-executed Dynamo offside trap.
- Dynamo striker Giles Barnes stroked home a well-taken finish in the 77th minute that looked likely to be the game-winner. But the Revs struck with a furious late rally that concluded with Daigo Kobayashi thumping home a Fagundez cross deep in stoppage time.
- Dynamo head coach Owen Coyle featured two of his offseason acquisitions in attacking roles in the midfield, running out Andrew Wenger and Cristian Maidana in his first team of the season.
- HOUSTON DYNAMO (4-2-3-1): Joe Willis - Jalil Anibaba, David Horst, Raul Rodriguez, DaMarcus Beasley (Boniek Garcia 71), Ricardo Clark (David Rocha 64), Alex - Andrew Wenger, Cristian Maidana (Mauro Manotas 76), Giles Barnes - Will Bruin.
TEAM NEWS
- Though the Dynamo were pegged back for the late draw, it’s the fifth year in a row they’ve taken points in the opening game of the season, each of the last four years starting at home.
- “It’s frustrating to lose on a goal in the last minute,” said Dynamo head coach Owen Coyle, “especially when you put in so much to win the game against a very good side. … We had three goals today, but I think we could have had six or seven. I’ve said it before – we’re going to be an exciting team to watch.
- The Dynamo got goals from a pair of club debutants in Andrew Wenger and Cristian Maidana, both acquired in a trade with Philadelphia Union, two of three newcomers to the team who made starts in the opener.
- “Maidana as you see, even when he’s not in form, the delivery from set plays, which affects how we could have scored as well – it is a wonderful thing. Wenger gives you pace and power on the wide areas. When you see Giles (Barnes) on the other side, we will be a very exciting team,” said Coyle.
- Another newcomer made his MLS debut as Spanish signing David Rocha came on for the final 26 minutes in the midfield.
- There was a late injury concern when fullback DaMarcus Beasley was forced from the field with 19 minutes to play. Alex was also a late question, but remained on the field as the Dynamo had made all three substitutions.
- “[Alex had] a kick to the back of the leg. As did DaMarcus [Beasley] … the longer it went it tightened,” said Coyle. “I thought Alex Lima was unbelievable today. The performance that man gave was wonderful. He was one of the best players in the preseason. We certainly hope that both lads are available for a tough game against Dallas.”
- Will Bruin did not open his goalscoring account for 2016 but did have assists on two of the Dynamo goals, the third two-assist game of his MLS career, the second in his last five games played (last: Sept. 26 vs. Colorado).
- “That was our first game playing full on as the top five in the attack, we’re only going to get better and (build) more chemistry as the season goes on,” said Bruin. “I think three goals is a pretty good start but we need to shore up on the other end as well and that’s all 11 of us.”
