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MLS Houston Dynamo FC

Three Points: Dynamo Look to Start Playoff Push Saturday vs. Old Rivals

August 3, 2018 - Major League Soccer (MLS)
Houston Dynamo FC News Release


HOUSTON - After the league took a brief break for the MLS All-Star Game on Wednesday night, the Houston Dynamo return to action Saturday evening when they host their long-time rivals Sporting Kansas City at BBVA Compass Stadium at 8 p.m. CDT.

Houston and Sporting have a long history of high-stakes matchups, with 10 all-time meetings with elimination on the line in one competition or another. The Dynamo have knocked Sporting out of the Audi MLS Cup Playoffs four times and have eliminated them from the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup twice, while Sporting has defeated Houston in the Open Cup three times and knocked the Dynamo out of the playoffs one time. Those high-stakes matchups have bred a rivalry between the two clubs and their fan bases; and while Saturday's match won't end anyone's season, it's extremely important as both teams jockey for playoff position.

GAME INFORMATION:

MATCHUP: Houston Dynamo (7-8-6; 27 pts.) vs. Sporting Kansas City (9-6-6; 33 pts.)

TIME: 8:000 p.m. CDT

TV: KUBE 57 (Channel Guide)

RADIO: SportsRadio 610 (English); Univision Radio 1010 AM (Spanish)

HERE ARE THREE KEY POINTS YOU'LL NEED TO KNOW AS YOU WATCH SATURDAY'S GAME:

1. PUSHING FOR THE PLAYOFFS - Houston suffered through a difficult stretch last week, dropping consecutive matches against Philadelphia and at Portland due to combination of injury, fatigue and suspensions. Those losses dropped Houston to ninth place in the Western Conference standings, but they're only four points out of a playoff spot. Better yet, they're just seven points shy of fourth, which would bring a home playoff game. With 13 games left on the schedule, there's plenty of time to get back into the top six, but the playoff push starts now.

2. EVENLY MATCHED OPPONENTS - Sporting Kansas City comes into Saturday's match six points ahead of Houston and in fifth place in the Western Conference table, but a look inside the numbers shows that the teams are incredibly evenly matched. While Sporting has two more wins than the Dynamo, the teams are dead even on goals scored (39 each) and Houston has conceded just two more goals (32) than has Kansas City (30). Sporting has been the most adept team in the league at creating scoring chances, at 13.6 per game, while Houston is third in the league at 11.7 per game. With the numbers so evenly matched, Saturday night will come down to which team can take better advantage of those opportunities when they arise.

3. STAY AFTERWARDS FOR THE SPECIAL OLYMPICS GAME - The game between the Dynamo and Sporting Kansas City promises to be a hard-fought affair, but following the match will be another game that is sure to warm everyone's hearts. The Special Olympics Unified Teams from Houston and Sporting Kansas City will square off in an exhibition match on the field immediately following the conclusion of the first-team contest. All fans - and media - are encouraged to stick around for the Special Olympics match and cheer on all of these inspirational athletes!

Check out the Houston Dynamo FC Statistics



Major League Soccer Stories from August 3, 2018


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