Preview, game notes, lineup predictions and how to watch

The final leg of the 2024 Texas Derby is upon us, as FC Dallas takes on the Houston Dynamo in the Bayou City tonight.

Houston is coming off back-to-back losses last week. They lost at Sporting Kansas City last weekend before dropping points Wednesday night in Austin.

FC Dallas looks to win the Texas Derby and retain El Capitan for a third straight season with a win or draw tonight. As long as they don’t lose by more than two goals this Saturday, they’ll keep El Capitán in Frisco for the third straight season.

Key player for FC Dallas: Petar Musa – The Croatian scored in his first Texas Derby a few weeks ago. He has increasingly worked on MLS defenses in recent weeks, scoring three goals in his last four games.

On the road in Houston: FC Dallas is looking for its first victory in Houston since the 2016 season when it won twice (one in the league and the other in the USOC).

Current race against Dynamo: Dallas is on a five-game unbeaten streak against Dynamo, with the last loss in the series dating back to the 2021 season.

Local clock: In 2024, FC Dallas Homegrowns (Dante Sealy, Paxton Pomykal, Jesús Ferreira) have played a total of 1030 minutes and made 12 appearances.

Games missed due to injuries: Injury monitoring continues into another season. So far, 60 games have been missed due to injuries this season.

Potential programming:

With FC Dallas scheduled to consider an Open Cup match next Wednesday in Tampa, we should see a strong Estevez lineup again.

Paes, Ibeagha, Tafari, Junqua; Twumasi; Fraser, Illarramendi, Farfan; Ferreira, Ntsabeleng, Moussa

Winning in Houston would be a huge boost for FC Dallas

Disciplinary report

Suspended: none
Suspended after next yellow: none

Availability report

Absent: Absent: Geovane Jesus (right knee), Alan Velasco (left knee), Paxton Pomykal (knee), Paul Arriola (calf), Asier Illarramendi (butt), Liam Fraser (thigh), Amet Korca (groin)
Questionable: None
On loan: Antonio Carerra (North Carolina FC), Jose Mulato (San Antonio FC), Isaiah Parker (North Texas SC)
Unavailable (not listed): Malik Henry-Scott, Tarik Scott, Alejandro Uraza
International law: none

Key player for Houston: Hector Herrera

Everything goes through Herrera for the Orange.

Behind Enemy Lines: Houston Dynamo Reconnaissance 🔎

Disciplinary report

Suspended: none
Suspended on next yellow card: Sebastian Kowalczyk

Availability report
Absent: Sebastian Ferreira (lower body), Nelson Quinones (knee), Daniel Steres (hip)
Questionable: Franco Escobar (lower body)
On loan: none
International law: none

📅Date: Saturday May 18, 2024
⚽️ Kick-off: 7:30 p.m.
🏟 Location: Shell Energy Stadium
📺 Streaming: MLS Season Pass
💬 Social Gameday: #FCDvHOU, #TexasDerby
☀️ Weather: 89, sunny