Los Angeles Football Club vs. Houston Dynamo | 2020 MLS Match Preview

2020 MLS Regular Season – Week 21
LAFC vs. Houston Dynamo
Banc of California Stadium – Los Angeles
October 28 – 3:30 PM ET

STREAMING: MLS LIVE on ESPN+ in US; on DAZN in Canada

LOCAL TV: QuestTEXAS Ch. 55, YouTube TV [LA region only], EstrellaTV 62

With Carlos Vela back, and scoring, LAFC eye a top-four spot in the Western Conference when they take on a Houston Dynamo side desperate to move above the playoff line when the teams square off Wednesday night at Banc of California Stadium. 

LAFC (8W-7L-4D) are coming off a 2-0 El Trafico win over the LA Galaxy Sunday to move within two points of fourth place Minnesota United, while the Dynamo (4W-7L-9D) are three points below the playoff line in the West after a 1-1 home draw against Columbus Crew SC. 

This is the second meeting this season, with LAFC rallying from a 3-1 halftime deficit to secure a 3-3 draw at the MLS is Back Tournament in July. 

LAFC

Carlos Vela made his first appearance since leaving an El Trafico defeat on Aug. 22 with an MCL injury to score a stoppage-time insurance goal in a 2-0 win over the Galaxy Sunday at Banc of California Stadium. The reigning Landon Donovan MVP and Golden Boot presented by Audi winner is a huge addition down the stretch for LAFC, which have endured an inconsistent season. 

"It means a lot to everybody that Carlos, not only gets back on the field after being out for a while, but then scores an excellent goal. It's been really good just to have him back in training," LAFC head coach Bob Bradley said after the match. "We're excited to get him back every day and keep trying to push him and have him really finish the season in a great way."

On Tuesday, Bradley said he's not about to rush defender Tristan Blackmon and reigning MVP Carlos Vela, after both saw their first minutes in a while during El Trafico: "I don't think you'll see any crazy jumps in minutes."

• Updated team roster
• Injury Report:
  • OUT: Mark-Anthony Kaye (M) - ankle injury
  • OUT: Andy Najar (D) - undisclosed injury
  • OUT: Mahala Opoku (F) - undisclosed injury
• Suspended: None
• Suspended after next caution: Jordan Harvey (D)
• International duty:  None

Houston Dynamo

Memo Rodriguez scored his fifth goal of the season and his second in as many games, but the Dynamo were forced to settle for a share of the points after a Victor Cabrera own goal leveled for Crew SC in a 1-1 draw at BBVA Stadium Saturday. Houston are in 10th in the West, three points below the playoff line with three games to play. 

"I can’t even think about the playoffs if we don’t win," Tab Ramos said after the match. "All we can do is think about out next opponent, LAFC, and try to win that game to see what happens after that. If we don’t get the points, it’s difficult to make the playoffs.”

• Updated team roster
• Injury Report:
  • OUT: Michael Salazar (F) - right knee injury
• Suspended: Adam Lundkvist (D)
• Suspended after next caution: Memo Rodriguez (M)
• International duty:  None

Series Matchup at LAFC

• LAFC: 2 wins, 9 goals
• Dynamo: 0 wins, 5 goals
• 1 draw

Officials

• Referee: Ramy Touchan
• Assistant Referees: Cameron Blanchard, TJ Zablocki
• 4th Official: Alejandro Mariscal
• VAR: Timothy Ford