FC Dallas vs. Houston Dynamo | 2020 MLS Match Preview

Dylan Butler

2020 MLS Regular Season – Week 22
FC Dallas vs. Houston Dynamo
Toyota Stadium – Frisco
October 31 – 3:30 PM ET

TV: Univision, TUDN

STREAMING: Twitter in US; MLS LIVE on DAZN in Canada

FC Dallas and the Houston Dynamo renew their rivalry, with both Texas Derby foes desperate for three points in a playoffs-impacted Halloween afternoon showdown at Toyota Stadium.

FC Dallas (7W-5L-7D) are coming off a 2-1 win over Inter Miami CF and are sixth in the Western Conference at 1.47 PPG. The Dynamo (4W-8L-9D) suffered a 2-1 defeat to LAFC Wednesday and are winless in their last five. Tab Ramos' struggling side are 11th in the West at 1 PPG.

Houston's last win was against FC Dallas, a 2-0 triumph at BBVA Stadium in Week 16, with Darwin Quintero and Darwin Ceren scoring in each half. The teams also played to a 0-0 draw at BBVA Stadium August 21 and FC Dallas claimed a 2-1 victory at Toyota Stadium Sept. 12 with Franco Jara scoring the winner just past the hour mark.

FC Dallas

FC Dallas erased a first-half deficit to score twice without response after the break and defeat Inter Miami CF 2-1 at Toyota Stadium Wednesday night, inching Luchi Gonzalez's squad closer to clinching a playoff spot. The catalyst for the comeback was 19-year-old Bryan Reynolds, who has not only embraced a new position, but is thriving at right back following Reggie Cannon's transfer to Portugal's Boavista.

"When I coached Bryan in the academy, he was a winger. He was quite successful as a winger and as he started to become a senior player at a young age, it was a decision based on his profile and his tools to start looking at him as an outside back," Gonzalez said after the match. "But it doesn’t happen unless Bryan accepts and embraces that challenge as an opportunity, and he certainly did. And that started with Oscar (Pareja) and continued with me and the staff at the club. So we’re really proud of him. He had a great mentor in Reggie, he’s always been close with him and looking up to him. That’s why I’m not surprised he’s been able to step in and compete right away for its goals.”

Updated team roster
Injury Report:
- OUT: Paxton Pomykal (M) - hip injury
- OUT: Bryan Acosta (M) - undisclosed injury
Suspended: None
Suspended after next caution: Bressan (D)
International duty: None

Houston Dynamo

The Dynamo conceded twice in the opening 22 minutes, had a penalty kick saved, another PK called back after Video Review, were reduced to 10 men before the hour mark and extended a winless run to five matches following a 2-1 defeat to LAFC Wednesday night at Banc of California Stadium. Ariel Lassiter gave Houston a lifeline with a goal one minute into the second half, but Matias Vera was sent off for his second bookable offense in the 59th minute.

After Mauro Manotas was denied from the penalty spot in the first half, it appeared the Dynamo had a second attempt five minutes from time, but it was ruled off after Ceren was determined to be offside following Video Review.

"Dallas is in good position for the playoffs, so they are probably feeling good about their team and what they are doing," Tab Ramos said. "They are a very dangerous team, obviously, they are a good team. They signed some good players, (Andrés) Ricaurte gave them that little extra that they needed in the middle of the field when they signed him. (Michael) Barrios is always a handful, (Franco) Jara was a good signing this year. So, they have had some good signings that have helped them a lot to get them over the hump."

Updated team roster
Injury Report:
- OUT: Michael Salazar (F) - right knee injury
Suspended: Matias Vera (M)
Suspended after next caution: Memo Rodriguez (M), Boniek Garcia (M), Darwin Quintero (M), Matas Vera (M)
International duty: None