MATCH PREVIEW: Houston Dynamo FC host conference-leading LA Galaxy in Decision Day matchup
HOUSTON (Oct. 18, 2024) â€" Houston Dynamo FC return to Shell Energy Stadium to host the Western Conference-leading LA Galaxy in a Decision Day matchup on Saturday, Oct. 19 at 8:00 p.m. CT. The Dynamo will look to determine their seeding for the Audi 2024 MLS Cup Playoffs on the final day of the regular season.
With a win on Saturday, the Dynamo would set a single-season Club record for points in a season with 54 points. The Dynamo currently sit fifth in the Western Conference with 51 points and a 14-10-9 (WLD) record this season.
The organization will also host **Fan Appreciation Night** , presented by , at the stadium on Saturday to celebrate and thank fans that have fueled the team all season long. Limited tickets are still available via SeatGeek HERE .
Additionally, the Dynamo recently launched their "Grind 2 Shine" playoff campaign, inspired by the teamâ€TMs relentless push to win another MLS Cup, to celebrate Houstonâ€TMs first consecutive postseason appearance since 2013. The team is guaranteed to host at least one home match in the Round One Best-of-3 Series, and fans can secure their Audi 2024 MLS Cup Playoffs tickets HERE for as low as $25.
Additional information regarding the postseason schedule will be confirmed and distributed following Decision Day.
Houston continues to boast one of the best defensive records so far this season. The team has allowed just 38 goals, which is tied for the third fewest across MLS. Houston also leads MLS with 59.5 percent possession across the season, allowing the Dynamo to control matches and dictate pace of play.
The Dynamo will look to bounce back from a 3-0 road loss to St. Louis CITY SC in their last league match before the international break. Despite the result, Houston dominated possession and final third entries, generating two big chances and four shots on target. Notably, Houston will finish the season with a Club record for the most road wins (eight) in a single season, surpassing the previous mark of seven road victories by the Dynamo in 2007.
Three players from the first team roster returned from international duty this week. Midfielder Adalberto "Coco" Carrasquilla represented Panama during two international friendlies versus the United States and Canada. Midfielder Brooklyn Raines joined the U-20 U.S. Menâ€TMs National Team for two victories versus Chile. Goalkeeper Xavier Valdez also represented the Dominican Republic in the Concacaf Nations League qualifiers, earning two wins over Antigua and Barbuda.
One lineup note for Saturday is that defender Franco Escobar will miss the Decision Day match after receiving a red card due to two yellows in the previous match at St. Louis CITY SC.
The Galaxy will visit Houston at the top of the Western Conference standings with 64 points and a 19-7-7 (WLD) record. Before the international break, Los Angeles started October with a 3-1 road victory versus Colorado Rapids on Oct. 2 and a 2-1 home victory versus Austin FC on Oct. 5. Los Angeles has won four out of their last six matches, while Dejan Joveljic and Gabriel Pec lead the team with 15 goals each this season, and Riqui Puig leads the Galaxy with 15 assists.
The Dynamo could deny the Galaxy a chance to finish atop the conference if Houston wins on Saturday and LAFC earns a large enough victory over the San Jose Earthquakes to surpass their Southern California rivals.
Houston will look to break the all-time regular season series tie with Los Angeles on Saturday, as the two sides have played to a 14-14-11 (WLD) record in their meetings. The last time the Dynamo hosted the LA Galaxy at Shell Energy Stadium was in April 2023, when Houston defeated the Galaxy 3-0 behind a goal from forward Amine Bassi and a brace from captain Héctor Herrera.
The Dynamo have a former Galaxy player on their roster in defender Daniel Steres, who spent eight years in Los Angeles, earning 140 appearances (127 starts) and recording nine goals and four assists. Houston acquired Steres in a trade with the Galaxy in December 2021, and the Burbank, California native has made 64 appearances (46 starts) for the Dynamo, while scoring five goals and recording six assists.
