Olsen reveals ‘difficult conversations’ ahead of derby

Ben Olsen had to have some “tough conversations” to get the Houston Dynamo out of their funk, with Saturday’s Texas derby at Austin FC offering them the chance for back-to-back wins.

Dynamo entered Saturday’s trip to Sporting Kansas City with a goalless draw in three MLS matches (one draw, two losses), while also being eliminated from the US Open Cup by Detroit City FC .

However, goals from Hector Herrera and Ibrahim Aliyu earned them a 2-1 road win and moved them into the top seven in the Western Conference – ahead of Austin by just one point.

Speaking before Wednesday’s game against a team that won the reverse fixture less than a month ago, Olsen thanked his players for getting through a tough time.

“I think some people were questioning us, and we had some tough conversations, especially with the US Open round of 16. It was just a really good response,” he said.

“We need to determine when we are at our best, think: ‘Who are we, at our best?’

“That’s our defensive effort that we hung our hat on last year, so it’s kind of a renewed feeling of that presence.”

Austin, on the other hand, was on a run of four wins in six games before being beaten 2-1 by another Texas rival in FC Dallas on Saturday.

Despite the setback, center back Julio Cascante praised the defensive work done by coach Josh Wolff, with Austin looking much more competitive than was the case in their dismal 2023 season.

“Despite everything, we worked very hard defensively,” Cascante said.

“The emphasis has been on the defensive side, but defending is done as a whole team. It starts with number nine. I think that makes the difference.”

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Austin FC – Sébastien Driussi

Driussi scored a consolation penalty in Dallas on Saturday, his third goal of the season in eight MLS starts.

Only Diego Rubio, who started three more games, has matched that total for Austin this year. The Argentinian will look to once again carry his team’s offensive hopes here.

Houston Dynamo – Amine Bassi

Bassi recorded his third assist of the season when he set up Hector Herrera’s 31st-minute goal against Sporting on Saturday.

All three of Bassi’s assists have come on goals from outside the box this season – Houston’s only three strikes from outside the box.

MATCH PREDICTION – AUSTIN FC VICTORY

Houston has won three of its first five away matches this year, having only recorded more than three regular season away wins in any of the last 10 campaigns, winning four times on the road in 2022.

However, Austin has won its previous four home matches against Houston, scoring multiple goals in each competition. The Dynamo is one of two teams – along with Kansas City – that Austin has hosted more than once while posting a 100 percent record.

Austin has also won three straight at home after winning just once in its previous 10 outings at Q2 Stadium. Returning home after Saturday’s derby defeat, they will expect a different result.

PROBABILITY OF WINNING OPTA

Austin FC – 44.9%
Houston Dynamo – 26.9%
Draw – 28.2%