THE BASICS:
Houston Dynamo at Los Angeles Football Club
Wednesday, Sept. 25 – 9:30 p.m. CDT
TV: KUBE-TV
RADIO: Univision Radio 1010 AM
MATCH CENTER
THE PREVIEW
The Houston Dynamo kick off a two-game road trip later this evening in California as they face Los Angeles Football Club 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. 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 at BBVA Stadium.
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 the 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.
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.
THREE POINTS
DYNAMO NEED THREE POINTS - The Dynamo need a victory on Wednesday to remain in the conversation for the postseason. A loss or tie against LAFC, or a victory from the San Jose Earthquakes and Portland Timbers on Wednesday would eliminate the Dynamo from the postseason. The Timbers host the New England Revolution at Providence Park at 9:30 p.m. CT on Wednesday and 30 minutes later the Earthquakes kickoff against the Philadelphia Union at Avaya Stadium. LAFC is the only Western Conference team to secure a playoff berth and six spots remain available as the MLS regular season comes to a close in the next two weeks. Houston currently sits seven points shy of the final playoff spot, currently held by the Earthquakes.
SUPERMAN RETURNS TO THE BANC - Christian Ramirez returns to Banc of California Stadium for the first time since he joined the Dynamo on Aug. 7 via a trade with LAFC. The forward scored and tallied an assist in Saturday’s 2-1 victory over Orlando City and has formed a strong bond with Mauro Manotas as the Dynamo have shifted to a traditional 4-4-2 formation in the last three games. The Santa Ana, Calif. native spent a year with LAFC and scored six goals and tallied two assists in 24 matches for the Black and Gold. Since joining Houston, Ramirez has scored three goals and added an assist in 464 minutes with the Dynamo.
LAFC ON BRINK OF SUPPORTERS SHIELD - LAFC sits comfortably in the standings with a 15 point gap between the Black and Gold and Seattle Sounders FC who sit in second place in the Western Conference with 50 points. LAFC have hit an unfamiliar stretch as they are winless in five games going into the midweek matchup. 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. A victory in either match would secure the Supporter’s Shield for LAFC and their first trophy in club history. 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.
