clock menu more-arrow no yes mobile

Filed under:

Can a win in the Texas Derby turn things around? 3 things to watch

Can a win in the Derby turn things around for the Dynamo? Something has to give. Here are 3 things to watch tonight.

MLS: Houston Dynamo at FC Dallas Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports

The dog days of summer have been especially rough for the Houston Dynamo. Houston welcomes rival FC Dallas to BBVA Stadium, looking to snap a 13 game winless streak. Tonight’s match kicks off a 4-match homestand with the Dynamo desperately looking for a win to snap out of this funk. Tonight’s game will air locally on QuestTexas channel 55 with pre-game coverage beginning at 7:00 PM CT.

Cannon Consolation

Let’s be honest, this season isn’t going to end in any trophies for the Dynamo, the playoffs are now a dream. One thing the Dynamo can take from the 2021 season is bragging rights and El Capitan. Since 2019, the Dynamo are 3-0-1 against their in-state rival at home and a win tonight would put the Dynamo level on points with their rivals from Frisco. Tab Ramos spoke this week about the Derby and what it means at this point in the season. ”We have the (club) record for not winning games in so long, so now I’m in a position a coach has never been in before, in the Derby,’ Ramos said. “So that already itself is a lot different. In general, you know when you play the Derby, nothing else matters. The standings don’t matter, your records don’t matter, how many you lost or won doesn’t matter, the weather doesn’t, nothing matters. It’s our city against their city and we want to put our city first, and that’s what this is about.”

What’s in a Lineup? Who Knows

MLS: Houston Dynamo at Real Salt Lake Rob Gray-USA TODAY Sports

An hour before kick-off, give or take a few minutes, when the Dynamo lineup is released, now feels like opening up a gift. It may not be a gift you necessarily want but it’s probably going to be a surprise. Wednesday saw Griffin Dorsey play forward and does anyone know where Darwin Quintero is anymore? One constant seems to be the center backs and goalkeeper with Tim Parker, Teenage Hadebe, and Marko Maric keeping their place week in and week out. But, the Dynamo terminated Kyle Morton’s loan with Memphis 901 FC in the USL Championship this week so might we see a change in keepers? Tune in to your social media around 6:30 tonight and let’s all find out together.

You Gotta Believe

In a long season, filled with disappointing results, it might be easy for the Dynamo players to get frustrated, to lose their belief. That could be the case for some players, but not Teenage Hadede. The new center back is looking forward to his first Texas Derby and he feels good about getting a result. “Of course, you know when you play in a derby you don’t need someone to motivate you, you are already motivated,” Hadebe said. “I’ve played in one of the biggest derbies in South Africa, you know the capacity is almost 95,000 fans there. I am looking forward to playing in my first Texas Derby. I believe we will come up with a victory tomorrow.” Hadebe is confident tonight is the end of the winless streak, how are you feeling?