The New England Revolution take a two-game unbeaten run to the Lone Star State for a game against the Houston Dynamo at BBVA Compass Stadium on Saturday night.
Houston (1-1-1, 4 points) is coming off a bye week and hasn’t won since taking a 4-0 victory over Atlanta United in the season opener.
Though also 1-1-1 on the young season, New England enters this weekend’s clash in decent form. The Revolution notched their first points of 2018 behind a pair of solid performances at Gillette Stadium, first taking a 2-1 victory over the Colorado Rapids on March 10 before settling for a 2-2 draw with New York City FC last week.
That said, the Revolution need to prove they’re a tougher road team than they were last year, when they posted a paltry 1-13-3 record away from Foxborough.
Conversely, the Dynamo lost just once at home last season. New England’s propensity to struggle on the road – plus its shaky back line – may provide Houston with the perfect tonic to get back on track.
All-time series
New England and Houston have plenty of history between them. The Dynamo defeated the Revolution in consecutive MLS Cups (2006, 2007) though the Revs proudly claimed some retribution from the orange-clad Texas side by winning the 2008 Superliga title.
Regardless, the Revolution lead the all-time series against Houston 11-5-7. Also worth noting: the Revs have defeated Houston in Houston six of 11 times, with two of those games ending in draws.
The two teams’ last meeting was at Gillette Stadium on April 4, 2017. Kei Kamara and Juan Agudelo both scored as New England claimed a 2-0 victory.
Players to watch on Saturday night
For the Revolution, it’s Cristian Penilla. It’s still too early to tell if Diego Fagundez can maintain his strong form to start the season while Juan Agudelo, despite scoring his first goal of the year last weekend, isn’t a definite starter.
Meanwhile, Penilla has arguably been New England’s best attacking threat. He’s emerged as a play maker that can set up his teammates but is also unafraid to go at goal himself. He’s been involved in all three of the Revolution’s run of play goals so far this season.
For Houston, Alberth Elis is the player to watch. New England’s defenders will have to keep the Honduran on alert as he’s as good at finishing chances as he is creating them.
Through just three games this season Elis has recorded three assists and two goals.
Potential starting lineups: Houston Dynamo vs. New England Revolution
New England Revolution (4-2-3-1): GK – Matt Turner; D – Andrew Farrell, Claude Dielna, Jalil Anibaba, Gabriel Somi; M – Scott Caldwell, Wilfried Zahibo, Kelyn Rowe, Cristian Penilla, Diego Fagundez; F – Juan Agudelo.
Houston Dynamo (4-2-3-1): GK – Chris Seitz; D – DaMarcus Beasley, Leonardo, Adolfo Machado, Kevin Garcia; M – Darwin Ceren, Eric Alexander, Andrew Wenger, Alberth Elis, Tomas Martinez; F – Mauro Manotas
Match Information
Expected kick-off time: 8:30 p.m, ET
Officials: Referee – Sorin Stoica; Assistant Referees – Adam Garner, Jason White; 4th Official – Guido Gonzalez Jr.; VAR – Ricardo Salazar
Forecast: 72°, partly cloudy, 10% chance precipitation
Broadcast: KubeTV (Houston), NBC Sports-Boston, myTV-38 (New England), MLS Live (Streaming)