MLS Houston Dynamo FC

Houston Dynamo Host FC Dallas in Texas Derby Saturday Night

March 11, 2016 - Major League Soccer (MLS)
Houston Dynamo FC News Release


HOUSTON - The Houston Dynamo meet FC Dallas in the Texas Derby at 7:30 p.m. on Saturday at BBVA Compass Stadium. Tickets start at $27 and are available at www.HoustonDynamo.com, by calling 713-276-GOAL, or by visiting the BBVA Compass Stadium box office (2200 Texas St., Houston) from 10 a.m. through kickoff tomorrow.

Saturday evening's forecast calls for mostly clear skies and a temperature of 71 degrees at kickoff as the Dynamo look to end a five-game losing streak against FC Dallas dating to March 2013.

The game will be broadcast live on ROOT SPORTS Southwest Alternate Channel (7:00 p.m. pregame; channel guide) and can be heard on Sports Radio 650 AM KIKK, the Radio.com APP and in Spanish on Univision Radio 1010 AM KLAT.

The first 5,000 fans inside the stadium will receive a magnet schedule courtesy of Papa John's.

Game Notes

The Dynamo opened the 2016 season with a 3-3 draw against the New England Revolution on Sunday at BBVA Compass Stadium. Goals from the midfield trio of Cristian Maidana, Andrew Wenger and Giles Barnes delivered the Dynamo a 3-2 lead until the 93rd minute, when New England's Diego Kobayashi scored the tying goal on the final play of the game.

With six total goals, it was the highest-scoring opening day in Dynamo history since a total of seven goals were scored I the club's 5-2 win over the Colorado Rapids in its inaugural match on April 2, 2006. Across MLS, 36 total goals were scored on Opening Day, an average of 3.6 goals per game and a new league record for a season's opening weekend. The previous record was 27 goals in 2011, when the league included 12 teams. Last year, only 16 goals were scored on opening weekend.

Barnes has 31 career goals in all competitions with the Dynamo and will tie Dwayne De Rosario (32) for fourth on the club list with his next goal. Forward Will Bruin has 135 career regular-season starts and can tie Pat Onstad for fifth on the franchise list with his next start.

FC Dallas tied the New York Red Bulls for the best record in MLS last season, losing the Supporters' Shield tiebreaker on goal difference. Winger Fabian Castillo and center back Matt Hedges both gaining MLS Best XI honors for the first time. Castillo registered nine goals and nine assists and made his first appearance with the Colombia national team. The attacker is questionable for Saturday's match with an adductor strain.

FC Dallas also features Argentine midfielder Mauro Diaz, who had eight goals and 10 assists last season, and Colombian winger Michael Barrios (seven goals, two assists in 2015), a former teammate of Dynamo forward Mauro Manotas at Uniautonoma FC in Colombia.

Dallas added former Portland forward Maxi Urruti and shipped longtime striker Blas Perez to Vancouver in exchange for playmaker Mauro Rosales. The Hoops also added Ecuador international midfielder Carlos Gruezo from Stuttgart of the German Bundesliga.

After Saturday's game, the Dynamo visit the New York Red Bulls on Saturday, March 19 at Red Bull Arena. The Dynamo return home on Sunday, April 10 to host the Seattle Sounders at 3 p.m. CT. Season tickets for the 2016 season are available starting at $385. For tickets for the Dynamo's tenth season, visit www.HoustonDynamo.com or call 713-276-GOAL.

Check out the Houston Dynamo FC Statistics



Major League Soccer Stories from March 11, 2016


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