John Hackworth has challenged St. Louis Metropolis to do higher towards Houston Dynamo after a disappointing loss to LA Galaxy final trip in MLS.
St. Louis had gained back-to-back video games earlier than shedding 1-0 to the Galaxy final trip in a recreation the place they didn’t register a single shot heading in the right direction.
They can not make the playoffs, sitting twelfth within the Western Convention on 34 factors with simply two video games left, and Hackworth is trying to be taught from their errors within the final recreation to finish their last dwelling match of the season on a constructive notice.
“We didn’t play in addition to we’re able to [against LA Galaxy], however I feel that may be a great factor for us going ahead,” he mentioned.
“I don’t need anyone to just accept that it was something apart from a loss. We will take a look at ourselves understanding we’re a lot 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 intention is to complete as excessive up the desk as they’ll, at the moment sitting in fifth, with solely 4 factors separating them and Los Angeles FC in second.
Ben Olsen was notably happy together with his protection towards the Revs and believes that would be the key for them within the postseason.
“Our protection is what we dangle our hat on,” Olsen mentioned. “Typically we get some credit score for a few of the build-up, however actually we’re a defensive crew, and we are able to defend with the ball, however we’ve received an excellent again 4.
“It’s a collective effort, everyone’s doing their half, however we’re going to maintain working in order that they know after they’re good or after they’re lower than snuff.”
Received not finished#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 gained 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 towards Austin on September 22 and added two extra assists to his tally within the win over New England final trip.
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 towards the Dynamo, together with a 2-1 win within the first spherical of this season’s Concacaf Champions Cup in February.
That bodes properly for St. Louis, who’ve gained 21 of their first 40 dwelling matches in all competitions (D8 L11), scoring 75 whole objectives. They’ve gained 4 of their final six at dwelling in all competitions (D1 L1) after successful one among their earlier seven at dwelling (D2 L4).
Nonetheless, Houston’s 2-1 win over New England on Wednesday took them to 51 factors for the season, equaling their whole from final yr. A win over St. Louis Metropolis would set a brand new membership factors report 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%
