Los Angeles FC will clash with Houston Dynamo at the BMO Stadium this weekend in their gameweek 11 MLS encounter.
The home side will be aiming to extend their unbeaten streak to four games, while Houston will hope to earn back-to-back victories for the first time since July 2024.
Match preview
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After Los Angeles FC were dumped out of the CONCACAF Champions Cup by Inter Miami on April 25, the Black and Gold bounced back, going unbeaten in three league encounters.
Following their ouster from the continental tournament, Steve Cherundolo‘s team claimed a 2-1 win over San Jose Earthquakes, followed by consecutive draws against Portland Timbers (3-3) and St Louis City (2-2).
Last weekend, LAFC got an early taste of life without Cherundolo, who is billed to step down at the end of the season, as he was suspended for the St Louis City fixture, but he will be back on the sidelines this weekend.
Having amassed 14 points after 10 league matches this term, the Black and Gold are a point short of the 15 they claimed at this stage of the 2024 MLS season.
Despite scoring seven goals in their last three domestic contests, they have been undone by a leaky defence, with six conceded in the same period.
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Houston Dynamo enter this contest in impressive fashion as well, having been unbeaten in their last four matches, which include two wins and a couple of draws.
After what was a difficult start to the domestic campaign, with no wins in their first six matches of the season, Ben Olson‘s men seem to have turned the corner.
Eight of their 10 points haul have come in the last four league exertions, with two victories and the same number of draws.
After a 2-0 triumph over Austin FC, the visitors are 13th in the West with 10 points from the same number of fixtures.
La Naranja have enjoyed a decent run against the hosts, claiming two wins and a draw in their last three meetings, and that will serve as a confidence booster ahead of the contest.
Team News
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Lorenzo Dellavalle remains ruled out for LAFC due to a thigh injury, while Maxime Chanot will not be involved as a result of a head injury.
Although Olivier Giroud failed to score in their last outing, he is more than likely to spearhead the attack for the home side, with support from David Martinez and Denis Bouanga.
Frankie Amay, who is on loan from Mexican side Toluca, and former Vancouver Whitecaps midfielder Ryan Raposo are both available for selection.
Lawrence Ennali and Nelson Quinones are still nursing knee injuries, while Duane Holmes is stricken with a lower-body issue.
Andrew Tarbell has not featured for Dynamo since March after suffering a knee injury, paving the way for Jonathan Bond to continue in goal.
Toyosi Olusanya and Pablo Ortiz are ruled out of the weekend contest due to personal reasons.
Los Angeles FC possible starting lineup:
Lloris; Hollingshead, Long, Marlon, Palencia; Delgado, Tillman, Jesus; Bouanga, Giroud, Martinez
Houston Dynamo possible starting lineup:
Bond; Sviatchenko, Escobar, Awodesu, Dorsey; Artur, Raines, Lingr, McGlynn; Bassi, Ponce
We say: Los Angeles FC 1- 1 Houston Dynamo
Both teams are coming into this contest in decent form, and with both teams looking to build on their respective unbeaten runs, we envisage a tight affair, prompting us to back both sides to settle for a 1-1 draw.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
