LAFC vs. Houston Dynamo: Match Preview

Where: Banc of California Stadium, Los Angeles, California

When: Wednesday, September 25, 7:30 pm PT

How to Watch: YouTube TV and KVMD in the LA viewing area, and ESPN+ in the rest of the United States.

Los Angeles Football Club will aim to return to the win column and clinch their first piece of major silverware when they host the Houston Dynamo on Wednesday at The Banc.

LAFC are on a five-game winless run, by far their longest such streak of the season, although they’ve drawn four of those games. But with a mere win all that’s necessary to clinch the Supporters’ Shield, there’s more motivation to get a win than ever.

The Dynamo, meanwhile, have gone through major ups and downs. Since starting the season with Concacaf Champions League play and getting off to a hot start, they had a long decline through the middle of the season, until Wilmer Cabrera was fired a little over a month ago, their playoff prospects basically dashed.

Under interim head coach Davy Arnaud, Houston has improved some, with a 2-3-1 record, including a comeback win over the weekend against Orlando City. And there are dangerous players on the roster, most notably Alberth Elis and Mauro Manotas.

But LAFC, using a heavily rotated squad on less than 48 hours rest, beat the Dynamo on the road earlier this season. With a nearly full-strength squad available (Adama Diomande, who scored a brace in that win over Houston, is likely to still be out), LAFC will be favorites. And with the pressure on them to get a win, it’s crunch time in a sense, good practice for the playoff games coming up soon.

LAFC are 11-1-3 at The Banc in league play this season, while the Dynamo are 2-13-0 away from home. The black-and-gold have built some room to coast but this is time for three points, then the rejoicing can begin in earnest.

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