Los Angeles FC v Houston Dynamo: Olsen challenges visitors to change their tune

Houston Dynamo head coach Ben Olsen has urged his team to find their clinical edge in a tough test against Los Angeles FC on Saturday.

The Dynamo had lost just one of their last 10 MLS matches before the Leagues Cup break, winning four and drawing five of the other games in that streak.

However, they returned to league action with a 1-0 defeat to Toronto FC last time out and sit eighth in the Western Conference.

And Olsen has challenged his team to improve their end product against the Leagues Cup finalists.

“The last game was not the result we wanted, that’s for sure,” he said.

“I’m starting to sound like a broken record: we play well, we have a lot of chances. We can do all that stuff, but we don’t make the play.

“If we’re going to be the team we want to be, we need to be killers, be way more cut-throat in the final third. We can’t keep expecting our defence to get shutouts in every game.”

Meanwhile, LAFC bounced back from Leagues Cup final heartbreak by reaching the US Open Cup final with a 1-0 victory over Seattle Sounders.

In MLS, they are five points behind leaders LA Galaxy, having lost their last league match 3-1 to San Jose Earthquakes, but head coach Steve Cherundolo has confidence in his team.

“Our LAFC players are monsters,” he said. “They show great heart and skill, and their physical side of the game is great.

“Simple mentality gives them the edge. I’ve also been happy with the control and managing of the minutes in recent matches.”

Focused and ready #Hustlin4More pic.twitter.com/z7VuwErzWC

— Houston Dynamo FC (@HoustonDynamo) August 29, 2024

PLAYERS TO WATCH

LAFC – Denis Bouanga

Denis Bouanga has not been involved in a goal in any of his four meetings with the Dynamo (incl. playoffs).

They are the only MLS opponent he has faced more than twice and not recorded at least one goal involvement against.

Houston Dynamo – Hector Herrera

Hector Herrera completed 101 passes against Toronto FC on Saturday, his sixth match with at least 100 completed passes in regular season MLS play.

He is tied with Riqui Puig for the most such games to complete 100+ passes since making his MLS debut in July 2022.

MATCH PREDICTION: LOS ANGELES FC WIN

This will be the first meeting between Los Angeles and Houston since LAFC’s 2-0 win in last season’s Western Conference Final. That win was their only clean sheet against the Dynamo (14 meetings).

However, LAFC’s last two regular-season home matches were a loss to Columbus Crew and a draw with Real Salt Lake. They have gone three such matches without a win only twice since the start of the 2019 season but have not done so since 2021.

Meanwhile, the Dynamo won their final two regular-season road matches before the Leagues Cup break, winning at San Jose and Vancouver Whitecaps. However, they have not won three consecutive such games since a four-match run spanning the 2011 and 2012 seasons.

OPTA WIN PROBABILITY

LAFC – 61.8%

Draw – 20.2%

Houston Dynamo – 18%