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MLS Houston Dynamo FC

Three Points: U.S. Open Cup Champs Back in Action Tonight

September 29, 2018 - Major League Soccer (MLS)
Houston Dynamo FC News Release


HOUSTON - Fresh off winning the 2018 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup on Wednesday night, the Houston Dynamo are back in action - this time in league play - as they host the San Jose Earthquakes tonight at BBVA Compass Stadium. It's the club's annual Soccer Kicks Cancer night, with kickoff set for 7:30 p.m.

This year, Soccer Kicks Cancer takes on a Superhero theme because, let's face it, kids who are fighting such a terrible disease are the true superheroes among us. Prior to kickoff, 11 childhood cancer patients will escort the Dynamo Starting XI onto the field, and each child will be wearing a special superhero cape of their own design, courtesy of Coming Up Rosies.

The first 5,000 fans through the gates tonight will also receive a free Alberth Elis bobble head, courtesy of Heriberto Ramos. Nicknamed La Pantera, or The Panther, Elis is featured doing his signature Panther Crawl goal celebration. Fans will also have the opportunity to snap a photo of themselves with the U.S. Open Cup trophy, which will be on the main concourse above Section 103.

GAME INFORMATION:

MATCHUP: Houston Dynamo (8-13-8; 32 pts.) vs. San Jose Earthquakes (4-18-8; 20 pts.)

TIME: 7:30 p.m. CDT

TV: KUBE Ch. 57 (Local Channel Guide)

RADIO: CBS Sports Radio 650 AM (English); Univision Radio 1010 AM (Spanish)

HERE ARE THREE KEY POINTS YOU'LL NEED TO KNOW AS YOU PREPARE FOR TONIGHT'S GAME:

NO LETDOWNS - One of the biggest challenges the Dynamo will have to overcome tonight is on the mental side. After winning the club's first championship trophy in 11 years Wednesday night, they cannot allow themselves to lose focus tonight against a San Jose team that sits at the bottom of the league table. The Dynamo need to win to keep their narrow playoff chances alive, and a win would also keep the happy vibes flowing after Wednesday's thriller.

QUAKES UNDER NEW MANAGEMENT - San Jose may be coming into tonight with the league's worst record, but they made a change at the top two games ago, letting go of manager Mikael Stahre. Since interim head coach (and former Dynamo assistant coach) Steve Ralston took over, the Quakes have played league-leading Atlanta United and Western Conference powers Los Angeles FC toe-to-toe and have been playing an entertaining style of soccer. With MLS legend Chris Wondowlowski leading their attack and a slew of talented young midfielders, the Quakes are plenty dangerous.

OPPORTUNITY KNOCKS - Several of Houston's regular starters not only went a full 90 minutes on Wednesday night in the U.S. Open Cup Final, but also put in full shifts last weekend at Orlando City SC. That could mean that some other players may get a chance to log significant minutes if head coach Wilmer Cabrera opts to rotate the squad. One player to keep an eye on could be defender A.J. DeLaGarza. He was in the matchday 18-man roster for Wednesday's final, marking the first time he has dressed for the Dynamo since tearing his ACL on Oct. 22 of last year. We'll find out when the lineups are exchanged at 6:30 p.m. whether or not DeLaGarza's recovery culminates with his first start in 11 months.

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