Six points from consecutive matches at home, LAFC hit the road for a midweek clash with the Houston Dynamo.
The Black & Gold are riding high following a 4-1 win over the Philadelphia Union, the Club's fifth consecutive in all competitions. LAFC is unbeaten since June 2. But that loss came the last time the Club traveled to Texas.
The Dynamo have won four matches in a row at home, outscoring opponents 13-4 in the process. Let's take a look at this pre-Fourth of July holiday clash:
Where To Watch/Listen
LAFC At Houston Dynamo, July 3 at 6pm PT
TV: YouTube TV (prematch show starts 30 minutes prior to kickoff), UniMás 46
Radio: ESPNLA 710, KFWB 980
Opponent Form
Houston are a well rested team. While LAFC has a quick turnaround after facing the Union on Saturday, the Dynamo have been off since a 3-2 loss to Sporting KC on June 24. In that match, Houston jumped out to a quick two-goal lead, but left Kansas City with zero points thanks to three unanswered goals from sporting.
Despite the loss, Houston still has one of the Western Conference's most potent offenses. Houston's 31 goals are tied for second in the conference, and four goals behind LAFC's conference-leading 35 goals scored.
What The Players Are Saying
Mark-Anthony Kaye on the quick turnaround between matches: "I think we just need to recover, rest up, and do the right things. Everyone knows it's going to be tough. In Houston, it's hot and they're a good team at home. But I think if we bring the right mentality, we can go there and hopefully get three points. The team is in good form right now. We want to continue that no matter where we are going. If we enter the game with the right mentality, we should be fine.
Adama Diomande on the adverse conditions in Houston: "We were in Dallas last time, so I got a feel of that heat. It was boiling my head. I didn't get to sleep for four days. Hopefully, I'm ready for Houston. Just get my hat on and see how it's going to work. I'm a professional, so I don't worry about that."
LAFC Projected Starting XI
(4-3-3): Tyler Miller; Joao Moutinho, Walker Zimmerman, Laurent Ciman, Steven Beitashour; Benny Feilhaber, Mark-Anthony Kaye, Lee Nguyen; Latif Blessing, Adama Diomande, Diego Rossi.
What To Watch For
Can Anybody Stop Dio?: Seven goals in five matches to start an MLS career is a first in the League's 23 seasons. Adama Diomande has wasted no time making a name for himself in a new league. His 2.12 goals per 90 minutes is unheard of in almost any league around the world. He loves to score in bunches. Will he be able to keep his streak of scoring in four-straight matches alive?
The LAFC Backline vs Alberth Elis: The Dynamo's Honduran forward has been giving defenses and goalkeepers headaches this season. He is seventh in MLS in scoring with 8 goals and 5 assists. Elis can play across any position on the front line, and is a volume shooter - he is third in MLS in shots taken with 60. He's a direct runner that can go in behind or carry the ball right at you, and physically he can hold his own against any defender in the league. LAFC's center backs will need to get their positioning in order, as Elis provides an outlet to the Dynamo on the counter and has the skills to finish himself or slot teammate Mauro Manotas, who also has eight goals this season including two last time out against Sporting KC.
Contributions From All Over: In LAFC's 4-1 win over the Philadelphia Union, the Club earned three points without fielding a single Designated Player in the match. Adama Diomande's hat trick gets turns the most heads, but LAFC had strong performances from Mark-Anthony Kaye, Latif Blessing, Lee Nguyen, and Aaron Kovar in the match. Now facing a match just three days later, LAFC's depth will be called into action once again against a well-rested Houston side.
