LAFC vs Houston Dynamo
Wednesday, June 14 at 7:30pm PT
Location: BMO Stadium - Los Angeles, California
Radio: 710 AM ESPN, ESPN LA App, 980 AM La Mera Mera
After a 4-0 road loss to the Houston Dynamo on Saturday, June 10, LAFC now host the Dynamo in a quick turnaround for both teams at BMO Stadium on Wednesday, June 14.
This was just LAFC’s second-ever loss to the Dynamo since 2018, with both losses coming in Houston, and the second-worst loss in LAFC history. It was just the third time ever that LAFC lost by 4+ goals. The Black & Gold were forced to play without Kellyn Acosta, Aaron Long, Timothy Tillman and Sergi Palencia due to injury, and the four remain questionable for the rematch.
LAFC forward Denis Bouanga, despite not scoring in three-straight MLS league matches, remains in a three-way tie for the top spot in the Golden Boot race with 10 goals scored this season.
Wednesday night’s matchup will be a reunion for Houston defender Franco Escobar, as he returns to BMO Stadium for the first time since hoisting the MLS Cup with LAFC last November and will receive his championship ring in a pre-game ceremony. After scoring a beautiful goal vs. his former team on Saturday, Escobar will miss the match due to yellow card accumulation.
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DYNAMO IN-DEPTH
Led by head coach Ben Olsen, the Dynamo are in a battle to stay above the playoff line as they have not made the playoffs since 2017. The Club currently sit in seventh place with 21 points through 16 matches played.
While they have had their struggles on the road (0-6-2), the Dynamo have proven they are a tough team to beat at home (6-1-1) and they proved that against LAFC Saturday night.
The Club is led by Mexican international and designated player Héctor Herrera, who has scored three goals and added five assists through 14 matches, while midfielder Amine Bassi has tacked on seven goals of his own in 13 games this season.
LAFC WILL WIN IF
They can put Saturday’s bad loss in their rear-view mirror and take advantage of a team that has struggled on the road. The Black & Gold have scored just once and have won just once in their last five games through all competitions, so will need to be sharper in front of goal. LAFC could be missing even more players due to the international FIFA window, with José Cifuentes (Ecuador), Diego Palacios (Ecuador), Denís Bouanga (Gabon) and Mahala Opoku (Ghana, U-22) all being called up to their national teams.
DYNAMO CAN WIN IF
They can build off the momentum created with Saturday’s 4-0 dominating win. The Dynamo will most likely come in a 4-2-3-1 lineup as they look to control possession in hopes of continuing to wear down a fatigued LAFC team.
