MATCH PREVIEW: Houston Dynamo FC hosts LAFC for 2023 Western Conference Finals rematch

HOUSTON (July 6, 2024) – In a rematch of last season’s Western Conference Finals, Houston Dynamo FC hosts Western Conference leaders LAFC on Sunday, July 7, with kickoff scheduled for 7:30 p.m. CT at Shell Energy Stadium.

Houston enters Sunday’s game in seventh place in the Western Conference with an 8-7-6 record (WLD) and 30 points. The Dynamo have lost just once in their last seven games, while finding the back of the net 16 times in that span.

The Dynamo are coming off a 3-2 away loss to Real Salt Lake, who currently sit second in the Western Conference. Forward Aliyu Ibrahim opened the scoring in the eighth minute, scoring his team-high sixth goal of the season. Houston then tied the game at 2-2 in the 54th minute when captain Héctor Herrera’s cross was deflected into the net by a Salt Lake defender. However, a goal from Braian Ojeda in the 67th minute sent Houston home empty-handed.

The Dynamo continue to boast one of the best defensive records of the season, even with a revamped backline that has seen seven players start due to injuries. The team has conceded 26 goals this season, which is third-worst in the Western Conference. Houston leads the Western Conference with 57.9 percent possession on the season, allowing the Dynamo to control games and dictate the pace of play.

Houston will look to bounce back from Wednesday’s result with a win over LAFC, which currently leads the Western Conference with a 13-4-4 record (WLD) and 43 points.

Last season, the Dynamo went 2-1-0 (WLD) between the regular season and the MLS Cup playoffs against LAFC. In mid-June of last season, Houston defeated Los Angeles in back-to-back games, winning 4-0 at home on June 10 before winning 1-0 away four days later. Finally, LAFC beat the Dynamo 2-0 in the Western Conference final in early December.

Heading into Sunday’s game, LAFC is currently in the midst of a club-record 12-game unbeaten streak. They most recently beat local rivals the LA Galaxy 2-1 in the last edition of El Tráfico on July 4 in front of 70,076 fans at Rose Bowl Stadium. Kei Kamara and Denis Bouanga each scored late in the first half for LAFC.

The Dynamo have two former LAFC players on their roster, including midfielder Latif Blessing, who spent the 2018-22 season with the club and won the 2022 MLS Cup. Defender Franco Escobar also helped LAFC win the 2022 MLS Cup, but he will be suspended Sunday due to an accumulation of yellow cards.

Earlier this week, Dynamo captain Héctor Herrera was named to the roster for the 2024 MLS All-Star Game. The midfielder is one of two players selected by MLS Commissioner Don Garber, along with Columbus Crew’s Darlington Nagbe. This will be Herrera’s second consecutive All-Star appearance after representing Houston in last year’s match against Premier League side Arsenal FC. The MLS All-Stars will face a team of LIGA MX All-Stars on July 24 in Columbus, Ohio. Dynamo fans can watch the match on MLS Season Pass on Apple TV.

Additionally, on Wednesday, the Dynamo hosted the introductory press conference for forward Ezequiel Ponce. Houston signed the 27-year-old Argentine from AEK Athens in Greece for a club-record transfer fee last month. Ponce will fill a Designated Player spot and join the Dynamo on a full transfer through June 2027 with club options through December 2027 and 2028. Ponce will first be eligible to play in Houston’s July 20 match against Vancouver Whitecaps FC once the MLS secondary transfer window opens.

The Dynamo will next host Minnesota United FC on Saturday, July 13, with kickoff set for 7:30 p.m. CT. Houston will celebrate 713 H-Town Night, and tickets for that game are available HERE.