Preview: Houston Dynamo vs. Los Angeles Galaxy - prediction, team news, lineups

sportsmole.co.uk, 6 April 2023, 16:19

Los Angeles Galaxy will be searching for their first win of this MLS campaign when they travel to face Houston Dynamo at Shell Energy Stadium on Saturday evening.

Houston have endured a mix start to the season, while LA Galaxy have failed to record a win in their opening five - a stark contrast to their form last term.

Match preview

Houston were unable to make it three wins on the spin last weekend as they were defeated 2-1 at San Jose Earthquakes, with a penalty-spot brace from Christian Espinoza condemning the visitors to their third-straight away defeat.

Dynamo have a perfect record at home so far this season, winning matches against Austin FC and New York City FC, with 36-year-old Steven Clark managing to keep a clean sheet in both fixtures.

That disparity between home and away form leaves Houston eighth in the Western Conference, just a point inside the playoff zone - although it is far too early to be over-analysing the league standings.

The Texas-based club were knocked out of the MLS Cup by Saturday visitors in October, and you feel Ben Olsen's men will be in the mood for revenge against a Galaxy side who are not having the easiest start to this season.

LA Galaxy are remarkably only one of three sides in the whole of MLS yet to win a game since the new season kicked off in February, quite the difference from a 2022 campaign which looked set to finish in MLS Cup glory.

Greg Vanney's men - despite their array of attacking quality - have struggled to convert scoring chances in their season openers, netting just three goals in five matches, with only Sporting Kansas City and Colorado Rapids managing fewer.

Just three points from the opening five fixtures leaves Galaxy in a lowly 12th position in the Western Conference, already eight points behind local rivals Los Angeles FC - the side who knocked Vanney's charges out of the MLS Cup last season.

Galaxy have enjoyed the highest percentage of possession in the entire MLS so far this season (58.9%) but have failed to convert that type of dominance into chances and results, something manager Vanney will be hoping to address during a busy April schedule.

Houston Dynamo Major League Soccer form:

Los Angeles Galaxy Major League Soccer form:

Los Angeles Galaxy form (all competitions):

Team News

Houston fans will have to wait a little longer to see Brad Smith make his first appearance for the club - the 28-year-old Australian is still recovering from a cruciate ligament injury sustained while playing for DC United in July.

Another player who has missed the start of this campaign for Dynamo is Ifunanyachi Achara, with the attacker expected to be back in May after suffering a knee injury.

LA Galaxy have received a massive injury boost ahead of their weekend trip to Texas, with boss Vanney confirming Javier Hernandez will travel with the squad after recovering from a hamstring injury.

Jonathan Bond remains sidelined for Galaxy due to a shoulder injury picked up in the draw with Vancouver Whitecaps, meaning Jonathan Klinsmann will once again deputise between the sticks for the visitors.

Houston Dynamo possible starting lineup:

Clark; Steres, Bartlow, Hadebe, Schmitt; Raines, Artur, Herrera; Carrasquilla, Baird, Bassi

Los Angeles Galaxy possible starting lineup:

Klinsmann; Calegari, Caceres, Neal, Edwards; Brugman, Judd, Delgado, Puig, Costa; Joveljic

We say: Houston Dynamo 1-2 Los Angeles Galaxy

Houston have been impeccable in front of their home faithful so far this season but now face a visiting side who will be desperate to earn a result at the Shell Energy Stadium.

LA Galaxy undoubtedly have the talent to turn around their shaky start to the campaign, and we believe the return of Hernandez to the matchday squad will inspire Vanney's men to all three points in Texas.

How to watch

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Austin
Austin FC
Ben Olsen
Brad Smith
Christian
Christian Espinoza
Dynamo
Greg Vanney
Houston
Houston Dynamo
Ifunanyachi Achara
Javier Hernandez
Jonathan Bond
Jonathan Klinsmann
LA Galaxy
lineups
Los Angeles
Los Angeles Galaxy
MLS Cup
New York City
New York City FC
Pena
Play
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San Jose
San Jose Earthquakes
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York City

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