MATCH PREVIEW: Houston Dynamo FC takes championship back from Atlanta United FC

HOUSTON (June 14, 2024) – Houston Dynamo FC return from the international break to take on Atlanta United FC on the road on Saturday, June 15, with kickoff scheduled for 6:30 p.m. CT at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.

Saturday’s match marks only the fourth meeting between the two clubs and the first since 2019.

Houston enters Saturday’s game seventh in the Western Conference with a 6-6-4 record (WLD) and 22 points.

Dynamo continue to boast one of the best defensive records so far this season, despite a revamped backline that has seen seven players start due to injuries. The team has allowed just 18 goals in 16 matches this season, which is the fewest in the Western Conference and tied for third in MLS. Additionally, Houston leads the Western Conference with 57.8% possession over the entire season, allowing the Dynamo to control games and dictate the pace of play.

Before the international break, Houston earned a 2-2 road draw against the Portland Timbers at Providence Park. Houston’s goals came from forward Sebastian Kowalczyk and midfielder Adalberto “Coco” Carrasquilla. Kowalczyk found the back of the net in the ninth minute for a goal in back-to-back games, while Carrasquilla found the scoresheet for the first time this season with a goal in the 50th minute.

Captain Héctor Herrera earned MLSSoccer.com Team of the Day honors for his performance in Portland, his second selection this season. The Mexico international’s main contribution came when he turned his body to send the ball to Carrasquilla and assist on the Panama international’s goal. In addition to his second assist of the season, Herrera led the team in several key statistical categories, including touches (106), total passes (74), pass accuracy (93.2%), assists in the last third (17), the entries in the last third. (13), total crosses (11), possession won (9), duels (4), chances created (2) and interceptions (2).

Three first-team players returned from international duty this week. Carrasquilla participated in two victorious World Cup qualifiers for Panama against Guyana (2-0) and Montserrat (3-1). Midfielder Brooklyn Raines joined the United States U-19 men’s national team for two 1-0 wins over Argentina and Uruguay. Goalkeeper Xavier Valdez also joined the Dominican Republic for World Cup qualifiers against Jamaica (loss, 1-0) and the British Virgin Islands (w, 4-0).

Saturday will mark interim head coach Rob Valentino’s first game in charge of Atlanta United following the firing of former head coach Gonzalo Pineda on June 3. Atlanta has struggled to get results so far this season, currently sitting in 13th place in the Eastern Conference with a score of 4-8. -4 (WLD) record and 16 points.

Atlanta beat Inter Miami FC 3–1 away on May 29, but a 3–2 home loss to rivals Charlotte FC on June 2 sealed Valentino’s fate.

Saturday’s inter-conference matchup will mark just the fourth meeting between Houston and Atlanta and the first since 2019. The Dynamo will look to even the series with two wins apiece, taking their previous victory 4-0 at Houston in the inaugural MLS season 2017 from Atlanta.

Dynamo return to Shell Energy Stadium to host Seattle Sounders FC on Wednesday, June 19, with kickoff scheduled for 7:30 p.m. CT. The club will be celebrating Juneteenth throughout the day, with tickets on offer for $19. Tickets for the match are available HERE.