Houston Dynamo v LA Galaxy: ´Nonetheless the champs´ – Olsen urges respect for guests
The LA Galaxy stay “nearly as good as any staff” in MLS regardless of their poor season, and Houston Dynamo coach Ben Olsen expects a tough check once they meet at Shell Vitality Stadium.
The Galaxy have endured a dismal MLS Cup defence, solely taking 16 factors from their first 24 video games of the marketing campaign to take a seat backside of the Western Convention standings.
Solely CF Montreal, who’re backside of the East, have taken fewer factors than Greg Vanney’s staff, with 15.
The Dynamo are simply exterior the playoff image with 27 factors forward of the groups dealing with off this Friday, however Olsen doesn’t imagine there’s a substantial hole between the perimeters.
“It’s such an fascinating opponent, as a result of once you watch them play, they’re nonetheless nearly as good as any staff on this league,” Olsen mentioned.
“The way in which they pose issues offensively, the way in which they construct, the liberty Greg offers them to dominate the sport and get into the opponent’s half…
“Then they’ve some gamers which can be as scary as anyone within the league. [Marco] Reus has discovered his area of interest, and I do know Gregg’s needed to juggle guys, identical to we’ve, due to accidents.”
Houston are winless of their final three video games since beating San Diego FC 4-3 earlier this month, although they did rescue a 1-1 draw with the Philadelphia Union final day out.
The Galaxy, in the meantime, performed out an exhilarating 3-3 draw with Los Angeles FC in El Trafico final weekend and have skilled an upturn of types, solely shedding one among their final 5 matches (W2 D2).
“In some methods, their season just isn’t dissimilar to ours. We’ll be underneath no illusions that this can be a superb staff,” Olsen added.
“Once you watch their final sport in opposition to LAFC, you’ll be able to see how gifted they’re once they put it collectively. They’re nonetheless the champs, the final time I checked!”
H-City Evening: Movie version pic.twitter.com/gqnoMLjqm1
— Houston Dynamo FC (@HoustonDynamo) July 22, 2025
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Houston Dynamo – Jack McGlynn
McGlynn equalised from the penalty spot as Houston drew 1-1 with the Union final day out, netting his third purpose of the season.
All three of his strikes this 12 months have been result-altering, along with his different two each being successful objectives.
LA Galaxy – Gabriel Pec
Pec scored twice in a 3-3 away draw with LA Galaxy’s metropolis rivals LAFC final weekend.
All 5 of Pec’s objectives have are available in street matches this season, and he has scored extra street objectives (10) over the past two campaigns than some other Galaxy participant.
MATCH PREDICTION – HOUSTON DYNAMO WIN
The Galaxy’s 3-3 draw with LAFC represented the fifth time they’ve scored a number of objectives of their final eight video games. They solely scored a number of objectives 4 instances of their first 16 matches of the season.
Houston, in the meantime, haven’t scored a number of objectives in any of their final 5 residence video games, since a 2-0 victory over Minnesota United in mid-Might.
That is the Dynamo’s longest streak with out scoring a number of objectives in residence matches since 2018 (additionally 5 video games).
Houston have received their final two residence matches in opposition to the Galaxy, solely the third time they’ve received two or extra consecutive residence matches in opposition to LA (additionally 2018 and 2019), with their longest such streak being 4 straight wins between October 2011 and July 2015.
The Galaxy are but to win an away sport in MLS this season, recording 5 attracts and eight defeats on their travels, so Houston are the favourites.
OPTA WIN PROBABILITY
Houston Dynamo – 47.6%
LA Galaxy – 26.3%
Draw – 26.1%
