Houston Dynamo vs FC Dallas Preview: Dynamo look to keep ownership of El Capitan

Sunday, the Houston Dynamo are on the road looking to take down in state rival FC Dallas in the Texas Derby. On the line is not just bragging rights in the state of Texas, but also El Capitan, a replica 18th century mountain howitzer cannon. Last year Houston broke a three year losing streak to finally reclaim El Capitan and free it from its purgatory in Frisco.

Houston may have a hard time keeping hold of the cannon for two years in a row. This year’s Texas Derby will take place twice on Dallas’ home turf and once in Houston. As fans know Houston has yet to collect any points on the road this season and look pretty terrible when playing on the road. If they want to take any points home with them they will need to channel their home playing style.

“We have to keep working. I think, there are many things we are lacking on the road. We have had our chances, that’s obvious. If we analyze each game we can see that the team has had its chances, we create options, we worry the opponent’s defense, we just haven’t been able to finish them,” said Erick Torres to media this week. “We have to keep improving on that, we have to have a better killer instinct. As I said, we attack through the flanks, we have give-and-go plays and crosses. We have tried, we haven’t been able to finish, but it’s just a matter of time. The most important thing, as I said, is that the team creates chances. We will be able to score in any moment and we will be able to help our defense and midfielders to control the game.”

Houston lead the series overall 6-5 all time, yet are 12-8-13 against Dallas. While the match up had historically been a fiery one it has mellowed on the field to some degree over the last couple of years as Houston has struggled on the field. This season Houston and Dallas are currently sitting 2-3 in the Western Conference standings.

“It’s always been an intense match. It started by the fans and the energy behind it. We are looking forward to it, “ Ricardo Clark told media earlier this week about the rivalry. “Like I said, it’s always a fun game and we are a competitive team. We all want to come out and get a result on the road against a rival team. I think, that would be a good stepping stone moving forward.”

Dallas is currently on a losing streak having lost two in a row, their first two losses of the season. They lost Thursday night on the road to the Chicago Fire. Houston are on the last of three road games before heading back home to the comforts of BBVA Stadium.

Things kick off in Frisco on Sunday at at 7 pm CT.