Houston Dynamo battles Real Salt Lake in key match with major playoff implications

Houston Dynamo FC will once again face another important test for their MLS playoffs hopes. This Saturday, September 14th, the Texas outfit faces Real Salt Lake at Shell Energy Stadium in a match with deep implications on both sides. Houston is seventh in the West but right inside the playoff race, while Real Salt Lake is third, trying to hold that position and improve on its recent run of form.

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Dynamo in Good Form

Houston heads into this game in good form with just two defeats in the last 13 MLS games. Their attack so far has been decent, netting 24 times over that period, but the team is doing even better at the back, registering seven clean sheets in the process. Goalkeeper Steve Clark has been vital in this form, amassing eight saves across the last two games.

The team is further graced with captaining leadership from the heart of midfield, Héctor Herrera. Herrera was the star to their goalless draw against LAFC, creating four chances to top the team in the midfield. With him back to the starting lineup, Dynamo look even stronger as they face a tough opponent like Real Salt Lake.

Another plus for Houston is their consistency at home. The team has one of the best defensive records in the league, and even with a backline hit by injuries, they have managed to control the pace of games. Dynamo knows how to keep the ball-59.5 percent possession this season-a necessary thing against Salt Lake.

Real Salt Lake Challenge

Real Salt Lake comes to Texas looking for a recovery. Having won just two of their last six MLS games, the team needs a positive result to regain confidence and stay near the top of the Western Conference. Perhaps the shining star for this team is Colombian forward Cristian Arango, with 17 goals and 11 assists so far this season. Still, the loss of 21-year-old forward Andrés Gómez to Ligue 1 side Stade Rennais may hit Salt Lake's attacking capability.

It has usually been a grueling travel for RSL anytime they have gone to Houston. The task facing the visitors is hard, seeing that Dynamo holds a 13-6-0 record in Texas against Salt Lake. What's more, Dynamo have knocked Salt Lake out of three different competitions between 2023 and 2024, including the MLS Cup playoffs and the Leagues Cup.

A Rivalry Defined by Recent Matchups

The teams of Houston Dynamo and Real Salt Lake have been in serious battles during the last few years. In 2023, the teams have competed against each other six times, including regular-season games, the US Open Cup, and the MLS Cup playoffs. Dynamo remained undefeated in those matches, 3 wins and 3 draws, knocking out Salt Lake in key moments.

In their last meeting, Dynamo won 3-0 in the group stage of the 2024 Leagues Cup thanks to Héctor Herrera, Micael, and an own goal from Salt Lake. That win was a good reminder of how dangerous Houston can be at home. Now, Real Salt Lake are looking for revenge and a chance to snap that run of negative results.