Houston Dynamo FC” class=”w-full rounded-md”/>Sep 7, 2024; Houston, Texas, USA; Houston Dynamo FC midfielder Hector Herrera (16) controls the ball against LAFC in the first half at Shell Energy Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-Imagn Images
There will be a lot at stake when old rivals Real Salt Lake and Houston Dynamo FC meet Saturday in a Western Conference season-ending matchup in Texas.
RSL holds a 14-13-11 lead over Houston in the all-time regular-season series. The teams have met twice this year: RSL won 3-2 at home on July 3 in MLS play and Houston won 3-0 in the Leagues Cup group stage on Aug. 4.
RSL has not won a game in Houston since August 2018.
The Dynamo (11-8-8, 41 points) enter the weekend in seventh place in the West, one point ahead of the Portland Timbers and one point behind the Vancouver Whitecaps at the crowded bottom of the conference table with seven games remaining. Four points separate fourth place from eighth in the West.
Houston has picked up points in two of its three games since returning from Leagues Cup play. After losing at home to Toronto FC on Aug. 24, the Dynamo won at Los Angeles FC on Aug. 31 before drawing at home in the rematch last Saturday.
Ibrahim Aliyu leads the Dynamo with six goals, while Amine Bassi leads the team with seven assists. Houston has allowed just 31 goals this season, the most in the West and third-fewest in the league.
Although not among the team’s top scorers, midfielder Hector Herrera is the heart and soul of Dynamo.
“Hector is a big part of the growth of this club over the last year and a half,” Houston coach Ben Olsen said. “When I say, ‘We’re going the way Hector is going,’ it’s true. We’re at our best when he’s on the field, when he’s touching the ball because of his ability to find connections on the field.”
RSL (13-6-8, 47 points) is third in the West, one point behind LAFC and three above the fourth-place Colorado Rapids with seven games remaining. The Claret and Cobalt are 1-1-0 since returning to MLS following Leagues Cup and are just 1-3-1 in their last five regular-season games.
RSL returns from a two-week international break, with its most recent performance a 2-0 home win over New England Revolution on Aug. 31. Anderson Julio and Philip Quinton scored for RSL.
“When you have 11 players working hard for each other on both sides of the floor, their quality shines through,” said RSL coach Pablo Mastroeni. “Those moments are really important for the group, especially down the stretch because each game gets tighter and all the teams are competing for the same goal of making the playoffs. Words are easy, but it’s the actions behind the words that make it real or not.”
Cristian Arango leads RSL with 17 goals, second in MLS behind D.C. United’s Christian Benteke with 18. Diego Luna has a team-high 12 assists. Arango is not expected to play Saturday due to a hamstring injury.
–Field level media
What are the playoff implications for Houston Dynamo FC and Real Salt Lake in their upcoming match?
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Title: Houston Dynamo FC and Real Salt Lake Face Off in Critical Western Conference Showdown
Meta Description: The Houston Dynamo FC and Real Salt Lake are set to clash in a crucial Western Conference matchup, with significant implications for their MLS playoff hopes.
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H1: Houston Dynamo FC and Real Salt Lake Face Off in Critical Western Conference Showdown
H2: A Rivalry Renewed: Real Salt Lake Looks to Break Houston Dynamo FC’s Home Advantage
H2: The Dynamo’s Key Players: Ibrahim Aliyu and Amine Bassi Lead the Charge
H2: Hector Herrera: The Heart and Soul of the Dynamo
H2: Real Salt Lake Seeks to Reclaim Winning Form After International Break
Article:
The stage is set for a thrilling Western Conference showdown as old rivals Houston Dynamo FC and Real Salt Lake (RSL) face off at Shell Energy Stadium in Texas on Saturday. With only seven games remaining in the MLS regular season, every point counts, and this match promises to be a crucial one for both teams’ playoff aspirations.
A Rivalry Renewed: Real Salt Lake Looks to Break Houston Dynamo FC’s Home Advantage
The all-time regular-season series between the two teams stands at 14-13-11 in favor of RSL, with the Utah-based team seeking to break a drought of not winning a game in Houston since August 2018. The teams have met twice this year, with RSL claiming a 3-2 win at home on July 3 and Houston winning 3-0 in the Leagues Cup group stage on August 4.
The Dynamo’s Key Players: Ibrahim Aliyu and Amine Bassi Lead the Charge
Houston Dynamo FC enters the weekend in seventh place in the West, one point ahead of the Portland Timbers and one point behind the Vancouver Whitecaps. Ibrahim Aliyu leads the team with six goals, while Amine Bassi has recorded seven assists. The Dynamo’s defense has been a strong point, with only 31 goals conceded this season, the fewest in the West and third-fewest in the league.
Hector Herrera: The Heart and Soul of the Dynamo
One player who has been instrumental in Houston’s success is midfielder Hector Herrera. According to Houston coach Ben Olsen, “Hector is a big part of the growth of this club over the last year and a half… We’re at our best when he’s on the field, when he’s touching the ball because of his ability to find connections on the field.” Herrera may not be among the team’s top scorers, but his influence on the pitch is undeniable.
Real Salt Lake Seeks to Reclaim Winning Form After International Break
RSL, currently third in the West, returns from a two-week international break, with its most recent performance a 2-0 home win over New England Revolution on August 31. Anderson Julio and Philip Quinton scored for RSL, which has struggled of late, posting a 1-3-1 record in its last five regular-season games.
With so much at stake in this Western Conference showdown, fans can expect an intense and thrilling match between the Houston Dynamo FC and Real Salt Lake. Will the Dynamo’s home advantage and strong defense prove too much for RSL, or can the Utah-based team reclaim winning form and secure a crucial three points?
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Amine Bassi
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What are the playoff implications for Houston Dynamo FC and Real Salt Lake in their upcoming matchup?
Houston Dynamo FC and Real Salt Lake Face Off in Critical Western Conference Matchup
The stage is set for a thrilling Western Conference showdown when old rivals Houston Dynamo FC and Real Salt Lake meet on Saturday. With only seven games remaining in the regular season, the stakes are high, and the playoff implications are significant. In this article, we’ll delve into the current form of both teams, their head-to-head record, and what’s at stake in this crucial matchup.
Head-to-Head Record
Real Salt Lake holds a slight advantage in the all-time regular-season series, leading Houston Dynamo FC 14-13-11. The teams have already met twice this year, with RSL winning 3-2 at home on July 3 in MLS play, and Houston Dynamo FC securing a 3-0 victory in the Leagues Cup group stage on August 4. Notably, RSL has not won a game in Houston since August 2018.
Current Form
Houston Dynamo FC (11-8-8, 41 points) enters the weekend in seventh place in the Western Conference, just one point ahead of the Portland Timbers and one point behind the Vancouver Whitecaps. The Dynamo has picked up points in two of their three games since returning from Leagues Cup play, with a win at Los Angeles FC on August 31 and a draw at home in the rematch last Saturday.
Real Salt Lake (13-6-8, 47 points) sits third in the Western Conference, one point behind LAFC and three above the fourth-place Colorado Rapids. RSL returns from a two-week international break, having won their most recent game 2-0 at home against the New England Revolution on August 31.
Key Players
For Houston Dynamo FC, Ibrahim Aliyu leads the team with six goals, while Amine Bassi has contributed seven assists. Defender Hector Herrera, known as the heart and soul of the Dynamo, has been instrumental in the team’s growth over the past year and a half. According to Houston coach Ben Olsen, “Hector is a big part of the growth of this club… We’re at our best when he’s on the field, when he’s touching the ball because of his ability to find connections on the field.”
Real Salt Lake boasts a potent attack, led by Cristian Arango, who has scored 17 goals, second in MLS behind D.C. United’s Christian Benteke with 18. Unfortunately, Arango is expected to miss the game due to a hamstring injury. Diego Luna has a team-high 12 assists. RSL coach Pablo Mastroeni emphasized the importance of teamwork, stating, “When you have 11 players working hard for each other on both sides of the floor, their quality shines through.”
Playoff Implications
With four points separating fourth place from eighth in the Western Conference, every game counts in the final stretch of the season. A win for Houston Dynamo FC would propel them up the standings, while a loss would put them in danger of falling out of the playoff picture. Real Salt Lake, meanwhile, needs to maintain their current form to secure a top-four spot and a bye in the first round of the playoffs.
Conclusion
The upcoming matchup between Houston Dynamo FC and Real Salt Lake promises to be an intense and crucial encounter. Both teams have their sights set on the playoffs, and this game could go a long way in determining their fate. With key players on both sides, exciting matchups, and significant playoff implications, this Western Conference showdown is one not to be missed.
Keywords: Houston Dynamo FC, Real Salt Lake, Western Conference, MLS, playoffs, Hector Herrera, Cristian Arango, Diego Luna, Ben Olsen, Pablo Mastroeni.
