Houston Dynamo and FC Dallas last met on March 13, 2016, a 5-0 Dynamo win at BBVA Compass Stadium in Houston, Texas. Photo credit: Victor Araiza / Prost Amerika
FC Dallas sit near the top of the Western Conference looking down the table at rivals Houston Dynamo, but the Hoops haven’t forgotten about the humiliating 5-0 loss in Houston in week 2 of the current Major League Soccer campaign.
The 5-0 result was the largest margin of victory in the series between the two Texas clubs. It was also the Dynamo’s first victory in the series since 2012, ending a seven-game losing streak (counting MLS and U.S. Open Cup matches).
For the Dynamo, a win on Thursday would secure ‘El Capitan’ for the first time since 2010, secure the first 3 points on the road this season and keep the Dynamo from falling further behind in the stacked Western Conference.
For FC Dallas, nothing would be sweeter than avenging their loss in March by sinking their hated rival further down the table in front of their faithful in North Texas. A win would also see them finish at the top of the West before the two-week break in the MLS season, in observance of Copa America Centenario.
Texas pride also on the line in women’s soccer
Don’t forget folks, it’s a #TexasDerby doubleheader tomorrow!https://t.co/IlGDt1iLIU
— FC Dallas (@FCDallas) June 1, 2016
FC Dallas Women will host the Houston Dash at 5:30 p.m. on Tundra Field 2 at Toyota Soccer Center, just outside the north entrance of Toyota Stadium, in a friendly prior to FCD vs. Dynamo. Fans must present their match ticket for the FC Dallas vs. Houston Dynamo to gain entrance.
Here are the three things I’m looking for heading into #DALvHOU on Thursday:
El Capitán (pictured), a Civil War-era Howitzer cannon, is the prize of the winner of the Texas Derby. Photo credit: Victor Araiza/Prost Amerika
1) Come and Take It [El Capitán]
Erick “Cubo” Torres returns to the Houston Dynamo lineup after being on international duty with Mexico’s U-23 team at the revered Toulon Tournament. Photo credit: Victor Araiza/Prost Amerika
A win would heal a lot of wounds for the Houston Dynamo. The ‘Men in Orange’ have done well this season in rivalry games (FC Dallas, Sporting KC), albeit while playing at home.
I mention that because there’s been a different demeanor from this group of players in those rivalry games that I believe worked as a catalyst to their victories. It’s as if they play with a chip on their shoulders.
The Dynamo could use that same attitude and demeanor to collect their fourth win of the season.
While Giles Barnes will be an international absence, the Dynamo will get a spark with the return of Designated Player Erick Torres, who’ll be looking to ‘come and take’ his first goal in a Dynamo jersey.
2) Come and Take It [The top spot in the West]
FC Dallas could enter the two-week MLS break as the leader in the though Western Conference with a win over Houston. Photo credit: Dylan Nadwodny.
Racking up points early in the year is never a bad thing. Looking down the calendar, it would be wise to add up as many points now before the U.S. Open Cup and CONCACAF Champions League get underway.
A win would place FCD in the top spot of the Western Conference, although Colorado would still have two games in hand.
More importantly, going back to what I mentioned before, it keeps FC Dallas on pace to clinch a playoff spot sooner rather than later.
This is important because Colorado Rapids, LA Galaxy, and San Jose Earthquakes (the other four teams currently in the playoff picture, excluding fellow CCL participant Vancouver Whitecaps) don’t have to deal with the added responsibility late in the year of the CONCACAF Champions League.
Besides, fans in Dallas would love nothing more than to do their part in extending Houston’s stay at the cellar of the MLS standings.
3) Come and Take It [The Dynamo Head Coaching Job]
.@HoustonDynamo ass’t Wade Barrett: “Of course I want the job.” pic.twitter.com/dpOkRfWzkG
— Mark Berman (@MarkBermanFox26) May 31, 2016
Wade Barrett impressed by guiding the Houston Dynamo to a draw in Vancouver last week, Houston’s first point on the road this season.
The team went out to play with new energy but how much of that was due to Barrett? The former Dynamo team captain will have another audition to state his case for the head coaching vacancy before the league takes a two-week break.
Barrett finally stated his desire in the position this week and one has to think that a win in Frisco (which would carry importance as the first road win of 2016 and the clincher in the rivalry) would all but secure the job.
Will he ‘come and take it’? We’ll find out Thursday night.
Victor Araiza is a beat writer covering the Houston Dynamo for Prost Amerika.
Follow @victoraraiza Tweet to @victoraraiza
