Kickoff: 7:00 PM CT Venue: Energizer Park — St. Louis, Missouri Broadcast: Paramount+ / CBS Sports Network
VENUE & WEATHER CONDITIONS
Energizer Park — St. Louis, MO
- Surface: Natural grass
- Capacity: ~22,000 (soccer configuration)
- Atmosphere: CITY SC has been strong at home, winning 3 of their last 4 at Energizer Park.
Weather (Evening of May 19, 2026 — Typical St. Louis Spring Conditions)
(Weather not provided in sources; this is a climate‑based inference.)
- Temperature: 68–73°F
- Humidity: 55–65%
- Wind: 5–10 mph
- Precipitation: Low chance
Conditions should be ideal for a high‑tempo match.
INJURY REPORT / AVAILABILITY
St. Louis CITY SC
- Out:
- Tomas Ostrak
- Celio Pompeu
- John Maurer
- Lukas Halter (All listed as absentees in match preview)
Houston Dynamo FC
- No new injuries listed in the official preview; core players including Héctor Herrera, Erik Sviatchenko, Ezequiel Ponce, and Guilherme Santos are available.
RECENT TEAM FORM
St. Louis CITY SC
- 1–1 draw vs. D.C. United in MLS last weekend, conceding a 90th‑minute equalizer.
- Unbeaten in three straight matches (7 points from last 9).
- Advanced in the Cup with a 2–1 comeback win at Chicago Fire (goals: Totland, Löwen).
- Strong at home: 3 wins in last 4 at Energizer Park.
Houston Dynamo FC
- 1–0 win vs. Vancouver in MLS (stoppage‑time winner by Guilherme Santos).
- Won 7 of their last 9 across all competitions.
- Cup wins:
- 4–1 vs. El Paso Locomotive
- 2–1 vs. Louisville City (AET) (Sviatchenko equalizer, Ponce winner)
- Road struggles: 2–4–0 away in MLS.
SERIES HISTORY
- All‑time: 3–3–2 between the clubs.
- At Energizer Park: St. Louis leads 3–1–0, scoring 10 goals in those matches.
- Last season: Houston won both meetings by one‑goal margins.
This is a balanced rivalry with a strong home‑field tilt toward St. Louis.
KEY PLAYER MATCHUPS
1. Eduard Löwen (STL) vs. Artur (HOU)
- Löwen: Scored in the comeback win vs. Chicago; CITY’s midfield engine.
- Artur: Veteran stabilizer; part of Houston’s 2023 Open Cup title squad.
Edge: Even — Löwen more attacking, Artur more controlling.
2. Guilherme Santos (HOU) vs. CITY SC Back Line
- Santos leads Houston in goals + assists (7G, 5A).
- CITY SC’s defense has been inconsistent but strong at home.
Edge: Houston — Santos is in top form.
3. Ezequiel Ponce (HOU) vs. Roman Bürki (STL)
- Ponce: Extra‑time Cup winner vs. Louisville.
- Bürki: One of MLS’s best shot‑stoppers; crucial in knockout matches.
Edge: Slight to St. Louis — Bürki’s big‑game pedigree.
4. Tomas Totland (STL) vs. Houston’s Left Side
- Totland scored his first U.S. Open Cup goal in the Round of 16.
- His overlapping runs will test Houston’s defensive shape.
Edge: St. Louis — Totland’s form is rising.
WAGERING TRENDS
St. Louis CITY SC
- Unbeaten in 6 of last 8 home matches.
- 3 of last 4 home games won.
- BTTS (Yes) hits 67% of the time in recent matches.
Houston Dynamo FC
- 7 wins in last 9 overall.
- Poor away form: failed to win 7 of last 9 competitive away games.
- Lower BTTS rate (33%).
