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It’s been a while since we had a Dash-Dynamo doubleheader, both Houston teams playing on the same day. After the Dash return to the field, at 2:30 PM CT on CBS, the Dynamo will compete in the second Texas Derby of 2020 at 7:30 PM CT. After a 0-0 draw last month in Houston, the Dynamo will be looking for their first win of their rivals to the north.
Can the Dynamo close out Phase 1 of Major League Soccer’s return to play? Here are three things to watch.
Goodbye Panther
After missing Wednesday’s game in Colorado, it looks like Alberth Elis is on his way to Turkey. According to multiple reports, Elis is on the verge of being transferred to Portuguese club Boavista FC.
MLS source confirms Boavista FC (@boavistaoficial) from Portugal is purchasing forward Alberth Elis (@alberthelis17) from the @HoustonDynamo. The transaction is expected to be completed this weekend. Reported first by @SoccerByIves
— Mark Berman (@MarkBermanFox26) September 12, 2020
With Elis gone, the Dynamo will now look to their stable of attackers to fill the void left by the Honduran. Niko Hansen and Ariel Lassiter are the likely replacements for Elis in the starting XI, both having played well since the return to play. Elis’ departure also opens up a designated player spot on the roster, perhaps for Argentine Mateo Bajamich, who is rumored to be close to signing with the Dynamo.
Maric the wall
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Goalkeeper Marko Maric is fitting in well in his first season in Houston. The Croatian had five saves Wednesday night to tie his MLS career high. Maric has 31 saves and two clean sheets this season, including one against FC Dallas in the first meeting. The new Dynamo goalkeeper is continuing to improve this season, combining solid shot stopping with the ability to pick out passes with his feet. If Houston can continue to get solid performances from their shot stopper, the team will continue to pick up points and climb the league table.
It’s Dallas
Come on, you always want to beat Dallas. Left back Adam Lundkvist put it well when speaking to the media this week on the importance of getting a win in Frisco. “It’s huge, like we say back in Sweden, this is really a six-point game,” Lundkvist said. “It is important for us and the fans to create a little distance and it is a rivalry game with Dallas. We always want to win, we want to go there and get a good result. We’ve had a couple of performances there that haven’t been that good. I think we deserved more the last time we played them so, I am looking forward to playing a good game tomorrow and getting a good result as well. Let’s close out Phase 1 out with a bang.”