LA Galaxy vs Houston Dynamo FC Prediction
LA Galaxy and Houston Dynamo FC are yet to drop a point after resuming the MLS campaign. The clubs will face off in a close contest with the Houston Dynamo FC holding an edge over the hosts.
The hosts, however, will be high on confidence after their 3-0 win over Chicago Fire FC last weekend. The Greg Vanney-managed side dominated possession and created chances to record nine shots on target. They converted their chances through Tyler Boyd, Riqui Puig, and Billy Sharp through a spot kick.
Houston Dynamo will derive inspiration from their last away win against Real Salt Lake. Two first-half goals from Corey Baird and Daniel Steres along with Adalberto Carrasquilla’s 75th-minute strike helped the Houston Dynamo secure a clinical victory. Dynamo did not enjoy the majority share of possession but had a better conversion rate than their rivals in their last away fixture.
Previous Meetings
LA Galaxy and Houston Dynamo FC have shared a rich rivalry in the MLS. The clubs have faced off 28 times in the league with their head-to-head record remaining neck-and-neck. LA Galaxy have edged the Houston Dynamo FC with their slender 12:10 win ratio while six matches ended in a draw.
However, the onus will be on Ben Olsen to guide the hosts to their first win of the season over the Houston Dynamo. In their previous meeting, Houston Dynamo clinched a thumping 3-0 win over the LA Galaxy.
Greg Vanney deployed a 4-1-4-1 formation while Olsen opted to play with a 4-3-3 combination. It was a cagey affair with both clubs sharing equal possession and creating chances. Houston Dynamo and LA Galaxy had three shots on target each in their previous meeting. But the hosts converted all three of their shots while the visitors struggled to find the back of the net.
Houston Dynamo talisman Hector Herrera opened the scoring in the 35th minute to allow the hosts to take a slender lead at half-time. Amine Bassi added a second in the 65th minute from the spot while Herrera completed his brace in the 94th minute.
LA Galaxy Displayed Resilience After Leagues Cup Exit
LA Galaxy has displayed resilience after their return to the domestic league, following their disappointing early exit from the 2023 Leagues Cup. The Vanney-managed side has clinched six points in their last two outings in a bid to better their position in the Western Conference.
The club returned to the domestic league to re-start their 2023 MLS campaign with a 3-0 win over Chicago Fire FC at home and later managed to edge past San Jose Earthquakes in a five-goal thriller away from home.
However, defensive lapses were quite evident in the last game as Lucas Calegari conceded an own goal, with the Earthquakes creating multiple opportunities in front of the goal.
Onus On Duo to Take LA Galaxy Home
LA Galaxy will expect Ricard Puig and Tyler Boyd to bring their goal-scoring boots to the match. The duo has not been consistent in front of the goals but has shown the capability to take their club home in crucial situations.
Puig has been the most valuable player for the LA Galaxy in the ongoing season. The Spaniard has netted five times in 23 appearances while nabbing seven assists. Meanwhile, Boyd is the leading goal scorer for LA Galaxy in the league with six goals in 24 matches.
Meanwhile, the experience of former Bayern Munich and Juventus midfielder Douglas Costa has been handy for the club, as he has created chances and sorted their midfield. The Brazilian has provided seven assists in 13 matches in his second season in the MLS.
LA Galaxy’s Possession-Based Approach
Vanney’s men have strongly relied on a possession-based strategy, rather than quick-counter gameplay. The side are expected to deploy the same base tactic against the Houston Dynamo. However, there are a few glaring issues with this style.
The team has looked unprepared for counter-attacks on multiple occasions and that has often made them vulnerable while falling back to defend. Their lack of production has been a concern but the exciting approach from the wingers makes up for it.
Houston Dynamo in Command After the Break
Following their loss to Charlotte in the 2023 Leagues Cup Round of 16, Houston Dynamo have returned as a rejuvenated club. Olsen’s men returned to the domestic league with a scintillating 5-0 win over Portland Timbers.
The club faced Real Salt Lake in two consecutive fixtures but in different competitions. The first clash came in the semi-final of the US Open Cup, in which Houston Dynamo won 3-1 and secured a spot against Inter Miami in the US Open final.
They returned to MLS action and beat Real Salt Lake again, this time in their own backyard. Not only did the visitors nab all three points, but they also scored three past Real Salt Lake for the second successive game and also kept a clean sheet.
Dynamic Midfield Duo Will be Key for Houston Dynamo
Mexican midfielder Hector Herrera will look to combine well with his Moroccan midfield partner, Amine Bassi, in hopes of extending their winning streak to four games. Herrera has recorded the most assists in the 2023 MLS season, so far, by creating 13 chances and netting three times in 23 matches. Bassi has converted some of these chances as he is the leading goal scorer of the club with nine goals from 22 appearances.
The duo will also have support from American midfielder Corey Baird, who has netted six times in 26 appearances. Dynamos will also expect their Panamanian midfielder Adalberto Carrasquilla to step up to the occasion after he has successfully assisted five times in 18 appearances.
Coach Has Switched the Club’s Traditional Tactics
Olsen has brought a new approach to the Houston Dynamo playing style by changing the three-man defense to a four-man-at-the-back combination. The new system is built to provide a platform to his key players like Herera and midfielder Carrasquilla with or without possession while Bassi tries to connect the wingers with forwards.
The Dynamos have looked strong in the defense too. The addition of their 2023 season recruit Franco Escobar has allowed them to look potent with their defense on the right and while attacking from the flank.
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