The Houston Dynamo kick off a two-game road trip on Wednesday in Los Angeles as they face Los Angeles FC at Banc of California Stadium on KUBE 57.
Houston looks to build on their 2-1 victory over Orlando City SC last Saturday as they face the most dynamic team in the league. The Dynamo fell behind early at BBVA Stadium on Saturday, but a second half surge spearheaded by Christian Ramirez, Mauro Manotas and Alberth Elis gave Houston back-to-back victories at home for the first time since early May. This is the first match for Ramirez against LAFC after he was traded to the Dynamo in July. The forward has gone on to score three goals and add an assist in 464 minutes for the Dynamo.
Interim head coach Davy Arnaud secured his second victory with the club last Saturday and looks for his first triumph away from Texas. Arnaud has modified Houston’s approach over the last three games in favor of a two-striker setup in the traditional 4-4-2 lineup.
The Dynamo look to even the season series and earn their first victory in the matchup at Banc of California Stadium. Houston fell to LAFC 3-1 on July 12 in East Downtown
LAFC enter the match Wednesday, coming off a 1-1 draw against Toronto FC last Sunday at Banc of California Stadium. That was LAFC’s third draw of the year at home, as they battled hard against Toronto scoring a late goal in stoppage time to secure a point. Though, it wasn’t the result the Black and Gold wanted, they still added on to their comfortable lead in the West as they gear up for the 2019 Audi MLS Cup Playoffs as a number one seed. The month of September has been uncharacteristic for LAFC, netting three draws in consecutive matches, playing their last two of three matches on the road against Orlando City and Philadelphia.
As the Southern California side sits comfortably in the standings, they’re still hungry to find their first win in September. With the season coming to an end, LAFC has three matches remaining with two of their three matches remaining at home, going up against Houston and Colorado. In their second season at the Banc, LAFC has impressed at home going 11-1-3 in Los Angeles, which is the best record in the league this season.
Wednesday’s match is the first of two matches away from BBVA Stadium this week. Houston will remain in California this week and travel to Utah on Sunday to face Real Salt Lake at Rio Tinto Stadium. The Dynamo return to BBVA Stadium on Sunday, Oct. 6 to host Zlatan Ibrahimovic and the LA Galaxy for Fan Appreciation Night which will include a DaMarcus Beasley sendoff, presented by BBVA.
