3160ym191150349635208911180">The Houston Dynamo and FC Dallas face off in Frisco tonight as part of Heineken Rivalry Week in Major League Soccer 3160ym191150349635208911181">(7 p.m. CT | UniMás & Facebook Live). It will be the final meeting between the two clubs this season and the 3160ym191150349635208911182">30th time overall during the MLS regular season.
3160ym191150349635208911183">3160ym191150349635208911186">Houston and Dallas have played to two draws this year, potentially making Wednesday’s bout the decisive match for the 2017 edition of the Texas Derby. A win for either team would give them control of El Capitán, the Texas Revolution-era mountain howitzer used as a trophy for the series. In the event of another draw, the teams would have to wait to see if there is a playoff series between them – if not, the Dynamo would retain possession.
There are also playoff implications at stake as the Dynamo are only ahead of their archrivals by two points in the Western Conference standings, with FC Dallas having two games in hand.
3160ym191150349635208911183">3160ym191150349635208911189">“It’s a tough game and a quick turnaround after a long trip,” said Dynamo head coach Wilmer Cabrera. “This year we have had two very tough games, even games, so that has been an example that this game is tough. It doesn’t matter if it is in Dallas or here, we have to be ready for 95 to 98 minutes of focus, concentration, energy and toughness physically and mentally.”
3160ym191150349635208911183">3160ym191150349635208911192">They Dynamo are coming off a 2-1 road loss against Vancouver Whitecaps FC as Romell Quioto scored his first goal since May. Erick Torres, Vicente Sánchez and Ricardo Clark were left off that trip as a coach’s decision with the quick turnaround, but are expected to be back for the derby.
Alberth Elis is also expected to return to the lineup, missing the previous match because of yellow card accumulation. By that same token, the team will have to approach this game without two of its more consistent contributors in Juan David Cabezas and A.J. DeLaGarza.
3160ym191150349635208911183">3160ym191150349635208911198">“Most would see it as a difficulty, but we see it as an opportunity for players to step up and to say, ‘I am part of this club; I am ready and I want to be a starter.’ That’s why it works for me as a head coach: I don’t see it as a disadvantage. I see it as an opportunity to step up,” said Cabrera of the absences.
3160ym191150349635208911183">3160ym191150349635208911201">FC Dallas, meanwhile, are looking to halt a four-game winless streak that culminated with a 2-0 loss at Sporting Kansas City over the weekend. The Hoops are also in a scoring slump at home, scoreless in their last two games in Frisco.
3160ym191150349635208911183">3160ym191150349635208911204">Maxi Urruti (11 goals) and Michael Barrios (10 assists) have been Dallas’ statistical leaders this season and the players to key in on defensively. Mauro Diaz – Dallas’ active top scorer in the derby – could also return to the lineup after not traveling with the team for the last match.
3160ym191150349635208911183">3160ym191150349635208911207">“We know in what kind of position they are in and they are going to be desperate to come out and get three points,” said Houston goalkeeper Tyler Deric. “Right now it’s important for us to get the three points and keep the momentum going in our season. That’s the really important part right now, to put a good performance on the field and come out with three points.”
3160ym191150349635208911183">3160ym191150349635208911210">The match is the second for the Dynamo and part of a stretch of three in eight days. The team will want to return with a result heading into their home game on Saturday against Sporting Kansas City (8 p.m. | TICKETS).
