Houston Dynamo vs. Club America | 2019 Leagues Cup Match Preview

2019 Leagues Cup - Quarterfinals
Houston Dynamo vs. Club America
BBVA Stadium - Houston
July 24 - 8:30 PM ET

STREAMING: MLS LIVE on ESPN+ in US, TUDN, TSN GO

• Match Guide: Everything you need to know ahead of the match

The Houston Dynamo hope BBVA Stadium continues to be the fortress it has been throughout the MLS season when they host Liga MX powerhouse Club America in the quarterfinals of the inaugural Leagues Cup Wednesday night.

The Dynamo snapped a three-match losing streak and moved just below the playoff line in the Western Conference last Saturday night, defeating Toronto FC, 3-1, at BMO Field. It was only Houston's second road win this season. Tommy McNamara opened the scoring four minutes after kickoff and Tomas Martinez doubled the lead on 23 minutes. Mauro Manotas made it 3-0 on a terrific solo effort in the 57th minute before Jozy Altidore gave the hosts a late lifeline. 

Club America demands are always to win in whatever tournament they compete in, and Miguel Herrera — the coach who has lifted the most trophies with ‘Las Aguilas’ — understands that anything else will be deemed as a failure.

‘Piojo’ counts on a South American star-power roster that includes national team members from Argentina (Agustin Marchesin, Guido Rodriguez), Chile (Nico Castillo), Colombia (Matheus Uribe, Roger Martinez), Ecuador (Renato Ibarra) and Paraguay (Bruno Valdez). They were all called up for the recently-completed Copa America tournament.

Club America got their Apertura campaign off to a flying start, defeating Monterrey, 4-2, behind a Castillo brace. Uribe and Martinez added a goal apiece.

Houston Dynamo

• Injury Report:
  • QUESTIONABLE: Eric Bird (M) - hip injury
  • QUESTIONABLE: Memo Rodriguez (M) - left hamstring
• Suspended: None
• Suspended after next caution: None
• International duty:  None

Club America

• Injury Report:
  • OUT: Henry Martin (F) – ankle injury
  • QUESTIONABLE: Andres Ibarguen (M/F) – illness
  • QUESTIONABLE: Guido Rodriguez (M) – Fatigue
  • QUESTIONABLE: Agustín Marchesin (GK) – Undisclosed
• Suspended: None
• Suspended after next caution: None
• International duty:  None

Series Matchup

• This is the second all-time meeting between the Houston Dynamo and Club America in an official competition. The Dynamo prevailed, 1-0, in the SuperLiga group stage in 2007, with Nate Jaqua scoring the decisive goal late in the first half.

Officials

• Referee: Walter Lopez (Guatemala)
• Assistant Referees: Gerson Lopez (Guatemala), Carlos Fernandez (Costa Rica)
• 4th Official: Mario Escobar (Guatemala)
• VAR: Jair Marrufo (MLS)