MLS Houston Dynamo FC

Houston Dynamo FC Begin Cross-Country Road Trip on Saturday

Published on July 29, 2022 under Major League Soccer (MLS)
Houston Dynamo FC News Release


HOUSTON - Houston Dynamo FC open a two-game road trip on Saturday when they travel to Subaru Park to face the Philadelphia Union at 6:30 p.m. CT. The match will air live on AT&T SportsNet Southwest in English and TeleXitos 47.2 in Spanish.

A second half rally fell short last Saturday as the Dynamo fell 2-1 against Minnesota United FC. Forward Fafa Picault scored his fourth goal of the year when he dribbled to the top of the box and beat the Loons' goalkeeper at the far post. Picault has now scored 15 goals for the Dynamo in two seasons, the most of any player in the last two campaigns. Forward Darwin Quintero is second on the list with 10 goals scored since 2021.

Houston is searching for their fourth road victory of the season on Saturday. The Dynamo earned their third triumph on the road earlier this month in San Jose, a first for the team since the 2014 season. Houston will look for key points on the road after dropping points at home last Saturday. A victory on Saturday would be the first time Houston has earned four or more road victories since 2013.

The Dynamo face the Union for the first time since 2019 and Houston looks to snap a three-game losing streak to Philadelphia. Houston's last victory in the series came at home in a 1-0 triumph on July 2, 2016. The Dynamo also defeated the Union 3-0 in the final of the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup in 2018 to claim their first title in the tournament.

The Union are unbeaten in their last five games, which includes a 7-0 victory over D.C. United on July 8. Philadelphia enters Saturday's game at the top of the Eastern Conference after a 1-0 victory over Orlando City SC on July 23.

The Dynamo close the cross-country road trip next Saturday at BC Place when they face Vancouver Whitecaps FC. Houston returns to PNC Stadium on Saturday, Aug. 13 to host Club de Foot Montreal for 713 Night.

WHO:

Houston Dynamo FC vs. Philadelphia Union

WHEN:

Saturday, July 30 - 6:30 p.m. CT

TV:

AT&T SportsNet (Glenn Davis and Eddie Robinson)

TeleXitos 47.2 (Alex Parra and Daniela Rodríguez

RADIO:

TUDN Deportes Houston 93.3 FM (Daniel Mejia and Cesar Procel)

Here are three key points ahead of Saturday's game:

1. DYNAMO CAPTAIN LIFTS MIDFIELD: Dynamo captain Héctor Herrera led the team with 114 passes on Saturday and completed 102 passes to finish with a passing accuracy of 89 percent. The midfielder finished with the best passing grade last week with a 91.1 mark according to PFF, the first top grade for a Dynamo midfielder this season. The Mexican international made an impact on both ends of the field following two chances created and seven recoveries. Offensively, Herrera led the team with 44 passes in the final third and he finished with two crosses against the Loons. Defensively, Herrera finished with one interception and two tackles.

2. PICAULT RETURNS TO PHILLY: Dynamo forward Fafa Picault returns to Pennsylvania for the first time since he was traded from the Union to FC Dallas in 2019. The winger did not play against the Union in 2020 due to the shortened regular season and MLS is Back Tournament. Picault joined the Dynamo prior to the 2021 season and has scored 15 goals for the club. The winger has also tallied seven assists in his two seasons with the Dynamo and was named the 2021 Team MVP. Picault began his MLS career in Philadelphia in 2017 after his time in Germany with FC St. Pauli. The forward finished with 21 goals and 12 assists in his three seasons with the Union.

3. UNION UNBEATEN AT HOME: The Union have earned 23 points out of 33 points available at home this season and enter with a 6-0-5 record at Subaru Park. The team is currently unbeaten at home since Sept. 2021 when the New England Revolution earned a 1-0 triumph at Subaru Park on Sept. 3. Since then, the Union have an 11-0-5 record at home and look to extend their unbeaten run to 17 games. The Union has only conceded six goals at home this season, the fewest in the league and have found the back of the net 20 times. Houston will look to contain the duo of Julian Carranza and Mikael Uhre who combine for 13 goals this campaign. The bulk of the offense is generated by Daniel Gazdag, who enters the match with 10 goals and five assists this season.

Check out the Houston Dynamo FC Statistics



Major League Soccer Stories from July 29, 2022


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

OurSports Central