Welcome Los Angeles, to another LAFC match day. It’s not often in MLS that you get an immediate chance to avenge a tough loss at home. Then again if you’re LAFC, it’s not often you lose at home, or at all really over the last few months. That’s exactly what happened last time out when the Houston Dynamo shocked the league by coming into BMO and not only beating LAFC by two goals, but also holding them scoreless in a shutout. Now, just a week later, Los Angeles have a chance to return the favor in kind as they get set to face the Dynamo in the second match of this back-to-back, this time from Houston.
Matchday: #HOUvLAFC
⏰ 5:30 PM PT
🖥️ @AppleTV #MLSSeasonPass
🎧 @ESPNLosAngeles pic.twitter.com/pnvi3vQmeT— LAFC (@LAFC) September 7, 2024
Home field disadvantage?
The good news for LAFC is that the Dynamo have a been slightly better on the road this season than they have at home. Holding a record of 4-3-5 (W-L-D) at home, and with LAFC not having a terrible year on the road coming in with an away record of 5-4-2, they could steal a result if they can score early. The bad news, Dynamo have proven a tough opponent for LAFC as of late. Dynamo have won the last three MLS meetings, with their only loss to LAFC in their last four meetings coming in the MLS Playoffs in 2023. Another interesting tidbit, the last four meetings have ended in shutouts for the victor. As we mentioned Dynamo have done it three times with wins of 4-0, 1-0, and the latest 2-0 win while LAFC hold the 2-0 playoff win from last season.
Toughest test yet
Having already beaten LAFC at BMO, while the team was at full strength, makes this matchup even more nervy for the black & gold. Los Angeles come into Houston down not one, two, or even three, but six players. All of whom are away form the team while they represent their respective countries during International break. Such is life for one of the better MLS sides with talent oozing everywhere. Denis Bouanga (Gabon), Mateusz Bogusz (Poland), Omar Campos (Mexico U-23), Maxime Chanot (Luxembourg), David Martínez (Venezuela),
Cristian Olivera (Uruguay), will all be out for this match. That means we will likely see the team lean heavy on their new arrival, Olivier Giroud, who to be fair is no stranger to carrying a team for match. Most importantly, if LAFC can just defend and keep Houston out of goal, then they will give themselves a good chance to find a winner at some point this match.
How To Watch
Real lucky for LAFC, they get to avoid the current heatwave terrorizing Los Angeles, as kickoff is set for 5:30pm PT from Shell Energy Field in Houston, Tx. You can stream the broadcast live on MLS Season Pass on AppleTV. Those looking for radio can find the broadcast on ESPN LA on 710AM.
Thoughts on the matchup against the Dynamo? Leave a comment below!