The Houston Dynamo travel to Utah looking for their second road win of the season (9 p.m. CT | KUBE 57). In the midst of their first four-game unbeaten streak since 2014, the Dynamo are also looking to collect their fourth straight result against Real Salt Lake.
The Dynamo will not be missing any players to international absences or suspension, virtually giving head coach Wilmer Cabrera a full squad to choose from. DaMarcus Beasley will rejoin the group after taking part in MLS All-Star festivities midweek and newcomer Tomás Martínez will be eligible to play his first minutes.
“It’s been important to know where are our players are at this moment, in regards to fitness, motivation and mentality,” said Cabrera. “We are trying to make sure that when we are together we put the best team available and we try to give them the best opportunity to perform well. We are going to be sure that they all receive the best possible treatment in order for them to perform well.”
The Dynamo have gotten the best of RSL in their previous three encounters, with midfielder Alex scoring the only goal in the club’s last visit to Rio Tinto. The Dynamo delivered a 5-1 thumping to the Claret-and-Cobalt at BBVA Compass Stadium back in May, but defender A.J. DeLaGarza warns this next encounter will be a completely new test.
“They are a totally different team from the last time we played them,” said DeLaGarza. “They are a very young attacking group that can break out and it’s very quick. Similar to Portland, their top four guys can really come after you and Real Salt Lake may be a little faster than Portland. We’ve got to be aware of that.”
Despite their differing starts, the Dynamo and RSL are only separated by eight points in the Western Conference standings. The Dynamo forwards, responsible for 29 of the team’s 39 goals, will be looking to break past the MLS leader in numerous goalkeeping categories in Nick Rimando.
The encounter will have an added variable as video review is implemented across Major League Soccer. Cabrera stressed that the team cannot worry about matters out of their control and must focus only on continuing to perform well.
“We are going to continue to do the same job now,” said Cabrera. “It’s just a tool that the referees have just in case they need to be sure about something specifically. Our job doesn’t change. Our job has to continue the same way, try to continue do the best possible, try to continue to perform on the field and leave those issues for the referees.”
