The Houston Dynamo are gearing up for a crucial stretch in their season as they prepare to face off against Los Angeles FC in a home-and-home series. After suffering a 1-0 defeat against Toronto FC in their last outing, the Dynamo find themselves in eighth place in the Western Conference standings with a record of 10-8-7 and 37 points. With only a few games left in the regular season, every point is crucial for their playoff hopes.
Manager Ben Olsen is well aware of the challenge that awaits his team as they take on the defending Western Conference champions. Despite LAFC’s impressive track record and consistent presence in the finals, Olsen remains optimistic about his team’s chances. “We understand that they’re a very good team. They continue to put themselves in finals year after year because they’ve proven that they’re one of the best teams in this league,” Olsen said. “But we’re healthy, and I think we have a lot to prove right now. We understand that points are valuable. Every point counts right now to try to put ourselves in the postseason.”
The Dynamo will be looking to avenge last year’s 2-0 loss to LAFC in the Western Conference final. Having beaten the Black-and-Gold twice in the 2023 regular season, the Dynamo are confident in their ability to compete with the top teams in the league. They will also be hoping for a breakthrough performance from summer signing Ezequiel Ponce, who has shown promise with a goal in Leagues Cup play.
On the other side, LAFC (14-5-5, 47 points) may be feeling the effects of a grueling schedule. After a hard-fought 1-0 victory against the Seattle Sounders in the U.S. Open Cup semifinal, the team suffered a disappointing 3-1 defeat at the hands of Columbus in the Leagues Cup final. Despite the setbacks, manager Steve Cherundolo remains confident in his players’ abilities. “I think our LAFC players are monsters, and they showed great heart tonight,” Cherundolo said after the win against Seattle. “Skill, control, control of their emotions, and the physical side of the game as well to beat a very good Sounders team on a very difficult surface.”
With star player Denis Bouanga playing a crucial role in both games, Cherundolo faces the dilemma of whether to rest his top scorer or risk overworking him. Additionally, the potential MLS debut of Olivier Giroud adds another dimension to LAFC’s attacking options. As France’s all-time leading scorer, Giroud could provide a much-needed boost to LAFC’s offense in the upcoming matches.
As both teams gear up for what promises to be a thrilling home-and-home series, fans can expect intense matchups and high-stakes drama on the field. With playoff implications on the line for both sides, every goal and every point will be crucial in determining their postseason fate. Stay tuned as the Houston Dynamo and Los Angeles FC battle it out in a clash of titans in the Western Conference.