Real Salt Lake is unbeaten in eight straight matches against Houston (W4 D4) dating back to August 2017. That run equals the longest by either team in the history of the series, with Houston going eight in a row without losing to RSL from September 2007 to April 2010.
Houston finished last season on a four-match losing streak, having dropped 12 of its final 18 games (W3 D3) in 2021. The Dynamo have lost five straight regular season matches twice in club history: in May-June 2014 and July-August 2018.
Real Salt Lake is unbeaten in 12 straight season opening matches (W6 D6), tied with FC Dallas (active) for the longest such streak in MLS history. RSL’s last season opening defeat came against Seattle in 2009.
Fafà Picault led the Dynamo in both goals (11) and assists (5) in the 2021 season. Picault was involved in 11 of the Dynamo’s last 18 goals last season (9 goals, 2 assists).
Anderson Julio scored six goals off the bench last season, including the first goal in Real Salt Lake’s 2-1 win over Sporting Kansas City in the Conference Semifinals. Julio became the first player to score six goals as a substitute in a single season (including playoffs) since Alan Gordon with San Jose in 2012 (also 6).