John Hackworth has challenged St. Louis Metropolis to do higher in opposition to Houston Dynamo after a disappointing loss to LA Galaxy final day out in MLS.
St. Louis had received back-to-back video games earlier than dropping 1-0 to the Galaxy final day out in a recreation the place they didn’t register a single shot on track.
They can’t make the playoffs, sitting twelfth within the Western Convention on 34 factors with simply two video games left, and Hackworth is seeking to study from their errors within the final recreation to finish their last dwelling match of the season on a constructive observe.
“We didn’t play in addition to we’re able to [against LA Galaxy], however I believe that may be factor for us going ahead,” he stated.
“I don’t need anyone to just accept that it was something apart from a loss. We are able to have a look at ourselves understanding we’re significantly better than that.”
In the meantime, Houston bounced again from a defeat to Seattle Sounders with a 2-1 victory over New England Revolution.
With their playoff place already safe, their purpose is to complete as excessive up the desk as they will, at present sitting in fifth, with solely 4 factors separating them and Los Angeles FC in second.
Ben Olsen was significantly happy along with his protection in opposition to the Revs and believes that would be the key for them within the postseason.
“Our protection is what we grasp our hat on,” Olsen stated. “Typically we get some credit score for a number of the build-up, however actually we’re a defensive staff, and we will defend with the ball, however we’ve acquired an incredible again 4.
“It’s a collective effort, all people’s doing their half, however we’re going to maintain working so that they know once they’re good or once they’re less than snuff.”
Gained not executed#Hustlin4More pic.twitter.com/Upcp1MYfeU
— Houston Dynamo FC – x (@HoustonDynamo) October 3, 2024
PLAYERS TO WATCH
St. Louis Metropolis – Cedric Teuchert
Cedric Teuchert has scored in every of his first three dwelling appearances for St. Louis Metropolis, the one participant in membership historical past to take action.
Just one participant within the final 20 years has scored in every of his first 4 profession MLS dwelling video games: Federico Bernardeschi with Toronto FC in 2022 (first 5).
Houston Dynamo – Adalberto Carrasquilla
The Dynamo have received a club-record eight away matches this season. Houston’s 26 street factors (W8 D2 L6) are probably the most they’ve ever collected in a single common season in membership historical past.
Adalberto Carrasquilla secured the record-breaking win for them in opposition to Austin on September 22 and added two extra assists to his tally within the win over New England final day out.
MATCH PREDICTION: HOUSTON DYNAMO WIN
The house aspect haven’t misplaced any of the 5 conferences between St. Louis Metropolis and Houston, with St. Louis recording wins in each of its dwelling matches in opposition to the Dynamo, together with a 2-1 win within the first spherical of this season’s Concacaf Champions Cup in February.
That bodes effectively for St. Louis, who’ve received 21 of their first 40 dwelling matches in all competitions (D8 L11), scoring 75 whole targets. They’ve received 4 of their final six at dwelling in all competitions (D1 L1) after successful considered one of their earlier seven at dwelling (D2 L4).
Nevertheless, Houston’s 2-1 win over New England on Wednesday took them to 51 factors for the season, equaling their whole from final 12 months. A win over St. Louis Metropolis would set a brand new membership factors file for the Dynamo, surpassing the 53 they earned within the 2012 marketing campaign.
OPTA WIN PROBABILITY
St. Louis Metropolis – 32.9%
Draw – 25.6%
Houston Dynamo – 41.5%
