Nashville SC are back at Geodis Park on Saturday, looking to rebound from a disappointing loss to Orlando City. They'll take on the Houston Dynamo, and to get the latest on the Dynamo, we turned to Dustyn Richardson, managing editor of Bayou City Soccer.
In honor of Nashville SC's trip to the US Open Cup final, new subscribers can get 25% off a Capo-tier membership now through October 1!
Ben Wright (SixOneFive Soccer): It feels like another up-and-down season for the Dynamo. What have been the positives, and where have they really struggled?
Dustyn Richardson (Bayou City Soccer): The Dynamo had to replace three key players in Héctor Herrera, Coco Carrasquilla, and Micael.
Jack McGlynn and Brooklyn Raines have essentially replaced Herrera and Carrasquilla, but Houston never fully replaced Micael in the center of the defense. That, combined with Erik Sviatchenko dealing with injuries for a lot of the season, has left the Dynamo scrambling with different center back pairings.
The inconsistency in the lineups and an extremely poor form at home has led to the Dynamo being in the position they are, fighting to try and make the playoffs.
BW: Ezequiel Ponce sounded like he was supposed to be the answer at the No. 9 position when he signed, and while he has 10 goals this year, it doesn't completely seem like he's convinced. What have you made of him in MLS?
DR: Ponce has been very Jekyll and Hyde this season, leading to a lot of inconsistency in the attacking third. He's a great fit in the system that Ben Olsen likes to play with his pressing ability and work rate, but he just isn't scoring at the clip you want from a DP striker.
You could put a lot of that on the service he gets being limited, but McGlynn is one of the best creators in MLS, ranking in the top 5 in shot-creating actions per 90 minutes. Ponce just isn't the lethal kind of finisher you see from other big-name goal scorers around the league.
BW: How has Jack McGlynn fit into this team after his move from Philadelphia?
DR: As I mentioned, McGlynn is one of the best creators in MLS. When he got to the Dynamo, he was playing more as a No. 8 – the role Héctor Herrera played in – but he wasn't on the ball as much. Olsen and the coaching staff moved Jack to the right wing/attacking midfield role that Coco Carrasquilla played, and McGlynn has really taken off.
In recent weeks McGlynn has moved even more centrally, coming in off the right to get onto his magical left foot. He is getting time with the USMNT and playing well in MLS, so his time in Houston may not be long, but a nice lump of cash should come to the Dynamo when he does move to Europe.
BW: How would you describe Houston's style of play, and how do you think they'll look to hurt Nashville?
DR: The Dynamo want to have the ball. They don't always do a lot when they have it, but they want possession. The offense runs through McGlynn and his ability to cut in off the right and get central into dangerous areas. McGlynn coming in off the right also allows for right back Griffin Dorsey to drive forward and get balls into the box.
Lawrence Ennali has given Houston a threat on the left as well with the German's pace and ability to take defenders off the dribble. Against Nashville, they will look to get Dorsey and Ennali into dangerous areas to set Ponce and McGlynn up for scoring chances.
BW: Do you have a lineup and score prediction? Any injuries to note?
DR: The center back issue I mentioned earlier could come up again. Pablo Ortiz is suspended and Ethan Bartlow and Antônio Carlos were out last week with injuries.
Erik Sviatchenko could be forced to partner with rookie Femi Awodesu, who has struggled a lot this season. Hopefully for Houston, Antonio Carlos can be fit for this match.
If he is, the lineup I would expect the below lineup:
Thanks to Dustyn for his time! Make sure to check out his coverage of Houston Dynamo at BayouCitySoccer.net.
