Midweek clash; Houston Dynamo/LAFC Preview

On paper the midweek match between the Western Conference dwelling Houston Dynamo and the Western Conference leader LAFC seems like a mismatch. Is it really David versus Goliath on Wednesday night at PNC Stadium in Houston, Texas? Let's take a look.

First, Houston is a rollercoaster team. You never know which team is going to show up on any given night. If Houston plays the way they did to open the season, LAFC could be in trouble. If they play more like the team has lost eight matches by a score of 2-1, the game will be rout much like the game against the Philadelphia Union. LAFC has scored multiple goals in 18 of its 27 games building a record in those matches of 15W-1D-0L.

Second, LAFC comes in having lost consecutive games for the second time this season. They have not lost three in a row at all. In their last two outings, they have given up six goals with a goal differential of minus four. They have scored one goal in each of their last three matches. Houston, in its last three home matches is 0W-1D-1L with a goal differential of minus two.

Third, Houston cannot give up goals in the second half. This has been their Achilles heel all season. The Dynamo have squandered so many second half leads especially in the final moments of a game that this would be a much different season had they not. This would be a huge lift if they can take down the conference leader who has twice as many points as Houston.

This game is not quite as important to LAFC as it is to the psyche of the Houston Dynamo. This is a team that with a strong finish in this game could propel them from the basement to the the twelfth spot in the standings and maybe further if they can build on that momentum. There is not doubt that Houston wants to do anything but finish last for a third consecutive year. This game makes or breaks that scenario.