The Bleu-blanc-noir plays its last MLS game before a two-week break, visiting an old flame gone to the West, Houston Dynamo, at BBVA Compass Stadium (TVA Sports, 98,5fm, TSN Radio 690). Here are 10 things on the orange Texans.
Context
The hosts have lost two in a row, including one at home – in the U.S. Open Cup against Sporting KC – and have not won a single game in June, their last victory occurring on May 31 against Real Salt Lake, last in the league. Houston has only taken nine points in its previous nine games and will be missing two of its top four goal scorers: Alberth Elis and Romell Quioto have been called up by Honduras for the CONCACAF Gold Cup.
Current form (across all competitions)
L-L-D-D-W-D
Head coach
Wilmer Cabrera (7-7-4 as Houston Dynamo head coach, 16-26-10 all-time in MLS) was named Dynamo head coach on October 28, 2016. A former international Colombian defender, his 20-year career brought him to play in Colombia, Argentina, Costa Rica and the United States. Cabrera completed his USSF A Licence in 2005 and became the U.S. U17 head coach in 2007, after a stint with the U18s as an assistant. He stayed with the youth selection for five years, winning a CONCACAF U17 Championship, and then joined Colorado Rapids as an assistant. Cabrera was the very last Chivas USA head coach, in 2014, finishing with a decent record despite the circumstances.
Current top scorer
Erick Torres (12)
Players to watch
1.Alex (#14) – The 28-year-old Brazilian midfielder is the best passer of his team, having recorded seven assists. With a forward line that will lack a lot of firepower because of the Gold Cup call-ups, he might be a bit lonely, but still a threat.
2.Mauro Manotas (#19) – The Dynamo’s remaining goal scorer will surely start. In his third MLS season and still only 21, he is close to beating his own scoring record, with five in 2017.
3.DaMarcus Beasley (#7) – The experienced American full-back is amongst the most-capped players by the USMNT. He played for clubs in the Netherlands, in England, in Scotland, in Germany and in Mexico. His passing ability and his dribbling are important to Houston’s left flank.
Team profile
It looks like the Dynamo has read The Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde a bit too much in the off-season. Away from home, Houston has only taken two points from its nine trips, but at the BBVA Compass Stadium, its form is relentless, winning seven and drawing two. If a lot of the attack is borne on Erick Torres’ shoulders, the Impact will need to be mindful of the hosts’ corners: they like to play them short to surprise the defence. On the other side of the pitch, there are obvious spaces between the lines. Cabrera’s 4-3-3 formation is particularly flat, which allows playmakers to get free in these pockets. Moreover, the back line has problems stopping attacks on the wings and is often overrun on the outside, particularly on the right. The Texans also have problems keeping possession of the ball, whether at home or away, and turnovers in the defensive third have been costly more than once.
In 2017 :
<span class="s1"><b>Shots on target*</b></span> |
<span class="s1"><b>Goals scored from inside the penalty area</b></span> |
<span class="s1"><b>Goals scored from outside the penalty area</b></span> |
<span class="s1"><b>Goals scored on headers</b></span> |
<span class="s1">4th (89)</span> |
<span class="s1">6th (27)</span> |
<span class="s1">=4th (4)</span> |
<span class="s1">12th (3)</span> |
<span class="s1"><b>Possession (%)</b></span> |
<span class="s1"><b>Big chance conversion (%)</b></span> |
<span class="s1"><b>Successful passes in attacking third (%)</b></span> |
<span class="s1"><b>Duels won (%)</b></span> |
<span class="s1">19th (44.7%)</span> |
<span class="s1">=7th (57%)</span> |
<span class="s1">12th (63.5%)</span> |
<span class="s1">21st (47.3%)</span> |
*Source for all data is Opta
Tactical formation
Cabrera’s 4-3-3 works at home, but still has to find the key while on the road. Lineup against Colorado Rapids (July 1): Willis; Beasley, Leonardo, Machado, DeLaGarza; García, Cabezas, Clark; Wenger, Torres, Manotas.
Most recent games against the Impact
This sleeping rivalry – since the expansion that brought both Conferences to be redesigned – is perfectly split, with five wins for each side, along with a draw. Now a solely annual recurrence, the fixture between the Dynamo and the Impact has almost always been the home team’s affair. Last year, Matteo Mancosu, starting his first game with the Bleu-blanc-noir, offered the win to his team with a skillful arpeggio: head, knee, foot, goal.
Injuries, absences and call-ups (as of July 4)
D George Malki (knee)
M Eric Alexander (knee)
M Boniek García (Honduras)
F Alberth Elis (Honduras)
F Romell Quioto (Honduras)
Upcoming games
Minnesota United FC v Houston Dynamo (MLS, July 19)
D.C. United v Houston Dynamo (MLS, July 22)
Houston Dynamo v Portland Timbers (MLS, July 29)
