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The Texas Derby is hot enough but there is some added spice on Saturday as hosts Houston Dynamo will be parading the US Cup Open trophy, having won it for a second time on Wednesday night against a Messi-less Miami.
But who is hungover after the wild celebrations that followed their triumph? The Houston Dynamo vs FC Dallas predicted lineups will shed some light on that.
Both sides are in scoring form so we can exepct some goals on Saturday evening at the Shell Energy Stadium, kick off is slated for 19:30 local time.
Houston Dynamo vs FC Dallas predicted lineups and news
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This Western Conference matchup has a lot on the line, not only is the El Capitán award at stake – the replica cannon given to the winner of the Texas Derby – but also precious playoff points. Right now the teams are separated by five places butt just two points, with so many franchises in the mix to make it to the postseason.
Both sides had midweek action, the aforementioned cup final for El Naranja while the visitors were in Philadelphia where they earned a point in a 1-1 draw. That was also the scoreline the last time these two met in Frisco, the Icelandic striker Thorleifur Úlfarsson arrived off the bench to equalize late on after Jáder Obrian had opened the scoring.
Team news: Houston Dynamo
Ben Olsen’s team were impressive from start to finish on Wednesday as they raced to a two-goal lead before halftime and dominated possession. His team then showed the adaptability and tactical intelligence he has instilled since arriving in 2022 to play out the second half on the counter attack.
Many of the players are feeling fatigued after that epic effort in the heat and humidity of South Florida, Olsen himself described the group as “tired but happy” in Thursday’s press conference. That means we should be ready for some rotation, likely in the middle of the park and with older players on the side.
Right back Griffin Dorsey, who opened the scoring on Wednesday, is definitely out having picked up his fifth yellow of the season against Kansas City. Brad Smith is likely to come in to replace him, with Franco Escobar switching flanks to accomodate the Australian.
Houston Dynamo predicted lineup: 4-2-3-1
Clark – Escobar, Hadebe, Micael, Smith – Herrera, Artur – Carrasquilla, Kowalczyk, Aliyu – Baird
Team news: FC Dallas
Nico Estévez has a couple of fitness issues with Sebastián Lletget still shaking off a hamstring injury, while Bernard Kamungo hasn’t played since scoring against Atlanta United in early September. The talented young Tanzanian is officially off the injury report list, but he will likely see just a handful of minutes.
Jáder Obrian has to be on his best behaviour, one more booking would see the Colombian suspended for the next match. Paul Arriola and Jesús Ferreira began on the bench before coming on in Philadelphia, that suggests Estévez wants them from the go in H-Town.
The north Texas side have shown defensive frailities recently, failing to keep a clean sheet in the six games. That stretches to nine matches when looking at their away form in the MLS. It means Dutch stopper Maarten Paes is likely to have a busy night against a Houston side that has scored 21 times in nine matches since the Leagues Cup.
FC Dallas predicted lineup: 4-4-2
Paes – Twumasi, Ibeagha, Tafari, Junqua – Obrian, Fraser, Pomkyal, Velasco – Arriola, Ferreira
Will Héctor Herrera play today?
The captain was in superb form in the final, winning his battle with Busquets in a classic box-to-box display that delighted his fans. At 33 years old it isn’t easy to keep producing this level twice a week, leaving some speculation that he might sit out the Texas derby. However, looking at the clues we have from previous matches that seems unlikely.
CAMPEONEEEEES!!! 🤘🏻🦊 Un largo camino que termina justo como queriamos.. con un trofeo y una gran alegría para nuestra gente 🏆🧡 VAMOS DYNAMO!!! Disfrútenlo mi gente, esto es para ustedes 🤘🏻🤘🏻🤘🏻 pic.twitter.com/GZsgryZN4Z
— Héctor Herrera (@HHerreramex) September 28, 2023
Herrera has started all 15 home games in the MLS regular season, the one time he did start from the bench was a trip to St.Louis earlier in the year. No matter the changes to the starting XI the former Atlético Madrid midfielder has been a fixture in the middle of the park. With so much on the line, there is little doubt Houston Dynamo will call on him to lead the team on Saturday night.
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