NEED TO KNOW:
Houston face Seattle for the first time since 2019
Five Houston Dynamo FC players to miss Wednesday’s match due to international duty
Dynamo return from international break on July 20 against Vancouver
HOUSTON – Houston Dynamo FC begin a three-game stretch away from BBVA Stadium on Wednesday when they face Seattle Sounders FC at Lumen Field. The Dynamo will take a break for the Concacaf Gold Cup and return to action on July 20 against the Vancouver Whitecaps and travel to Northern California on July 24 to face the San Jose Earthquakes.
Houston enters Wednesday’s game with a four-game unbeaten run after Saturday’s 1-1 draw with FC Cincinnati at BBVA Stadium. Tyler Pasher scored the fastest goal of the regular season for the Dynamo and gave Houston a 1-0 lead in the third minute. Houston conceded a few minutes later to split the points with their first rival from the Eastern Conference this season. Pasher will join four additional players at the Concacaf Gold Cup this month and will not be available for selection on Wednesday.
Dynamo midfielder Matias Vera will return to the gameday roster after serving a one-match suspension for yellow card accumulation last Saturday. The Dynamo will also have defender Teenage Hadebe available for selection and defender Griffin Dorsey may be eligible pending the receipt of his ITC certificate.
This is the first meeting between both sides since 2019 and Houston will look for their first victory in the all-time series away from home. Houston has only earned two points from 10 matches against the Sounders at Lumen Field.
The Dynamo return to action on July 20 against the Vancouver Whitecaps at Rio Tinto Stadium. Houston will remain on the road and travel to Northern California on July 24 to face the San Jose Earthquakes.
WHO: Houston Dynamo FC at Seattle Sounders FC
WHEN: Wednesday, July 7 – 8:00 p.m. CT
TV: QuestTexas ch. 55
Glenn Davis and Eddie Robinson
TeleXitos ch. 47.2
Alex Parra and Daniela Rodriguez
RADIO: Spanish: TUDN Radio Houston 1010 AM
Daniel Mejia and Lester Gretsch
Here are three key points ahead of today’s game:
- MARIC KEY TO UNBEATEN RUN: Dynamo goalkeeper Marko Maric has tallied 15 saves in the last four games to keep Houston unbeaten since May 29. The shot stopper has the fourth most saves in the Western Conference and tallied seven assists in his last outing on the road against Real Salt Lake on June 26. The 25-year-old earned MLSSoccer.com Team of the Week honors after his performance in Utah, a first for the goalkeeper. Maric is also second in the Western Conference in clearances with 14 and looks for his second clean sheet of the season on Wednesday.
- DYNAMO ADDS DEPTH: Dynamo navigate Wednesday’s game with a limited roster after five players reporter for international duty on Sunday. Houston will have a pair of new faces following the signing of defender Griffin Dorsey on Monday and the addition of Teenage Hadebe to the roster. Dorsey’s availability is pending the receipt of his International Transfer Certificate from the Canadian Soccer Association. Dorsey joined the Dynamo in May as a trial player after three seasons with Toronto FC. Hadebe trained with the full team for the first time on Friday, July 2 following a quarantine period due to international travel.
3. SEATTLE UNBEATEN TO OPEN SEASON: Seattle is the only unbeaten team left this season and enter Wednesday’s game tied with Sporting Kansas City for the top spot in the Western Conference. The Sounders earned a 1-1 draw on the road against the Colorado Rapids on Sunday evening. Seattle will be without Will Bruin and Carlos Roldan on Wednesday, but Houston will have to contain Raul Ruidiaz and Joao Paulo who combine for 10 goals and six assists this season. Houston will look to snap a five-game losing streak on Wednesday against the Sounders who also navigate a limited roster due to international duty and injuries.
