MLS resumes in home markets: Scouting the Houston Dynamo

Major League Soccer's highly anticipated return to home markets will see Sporting Kansas City play six regular season matches against four different regional rivals between Aug. 21 and Sept. 13. This six-game stretch represents phase one of the league's return to play, with all clubs expected to play an additional 12 fixtures from mid-September until Nov. 8 to complete the 23-game regular season.

Over the next four days, SportingKC.com will provide scouting reports on the four opponents that comprise Sporting's schedule in phase one: the Houston Dynamo (Aug. 25 and Sept. 5), the Colorado Rapids (Aug. 29), FC Dallas (Sept. 2) and Minnesota United FC (Aug. 21 and Sept. 13).

Having reached the playoffs just once in the last six seasons, Houston kicked off a new decade by appointing a new manager in former United States international Tab Ramos. The longtime U.S. U-20 head coach launched into his first MLS campaign earlier this year with hopes of restoring the Dynamo to their heyday of the late 2000s and early 2010s.

Early Season

Houston opened the 2020 campaign with a 1-1 home draw against the LA Galaxy on Feb. 29, scoring through prolific striker Mauro Manotas in the second half. Manotas reportedly received interest from clubs abroad in the offseason, but his return to BBVA Compass Stadium represented a boon for Ramos and Co.

Seven days later, Houston suffered a 4-0 smackdown at the hands of Sporting Kansas City as Alan Pulido, Roger Espinoza, Gadi Kinda and Khiry Shelton all found the back of the net at electric Children's Mercy Park. The Dynamo will hope their fate isn't as dour when the club returns to Kansas City on Aug. 25.

MLS is Back Tournament

Following a four-month hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Houston began its MLS is Back Tournament campaign with great promise. The Dynamo held a 3-1 lead in their group stage opener versus powerhouse LAFC, only to give up a pair of second-half goals in a wild 3-3 draw. Nevertheless, a brilliant brace from 24-year-old homegrown Memo Rodriguez and an Alberth Elis goal had given Houston something to build upon as the competition ensued.

The two results that followed, a 2-1 defeat to eventual champion Portland and a sloppy 1-1 draw against the Galaxy, left Houston with just two points in Group F and prevented the side from reaching the knockout rounds as one of the four best third-place finishers. Darwin Quintero, the club's marquee offseason addition, did manage to open his scoring account in the tie versus LA.

Three Players to Watch

Memo Rodriguez: The talented midfielder signed a homegrown contract in 2015 but didn't break through until last season, when he recorded seven goals and five assists. He has started all five regular season matches this year and appears to have secured a starting role under Ramos. Rodriguez's two goals in a 3-3 draw against LAFC on July 13 offered a prompt reminder of his quality.

Alberth Elis: On his day, the 24-year-old Honduran international is one of the most devastating players in MLS. His pace and power on the wing make him a nightmare for opposing defenses, as evidenced by his 32 goals and 24 assists dating back to 2017. Elis has scored in each of his two appearances this season, both at the MLS is Back Tournament.

Darwin Quintero: Only five MLS players have recorded at least 20 goals and 20 assists since the start of 2018. One of them is Elis. Another is Sporting Kansas City winger Johnny Russell. Yet another in Quintero, who enjoyed two standout seasons with Minnesota United FC in 2018 and 2019 before moving to Houston. On paper, Quintero and Elis form one of the more tantalizing one-two punches in the league, but it remains to be seen how they gel on the pitch.

Head-to-Head

Sporting has faced Houston 33 times in all competitions since 2011, more than any other opponent. The previous decade saw the sides meet in four editions of the MLS Cup Playoffs and five Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup tournaments. Manager Peter Vermes' men are 4-0-2 in their last six regular season meetings dating back to October 2017, posting four shutouts during that stretch. Coincidentally, Sporting's 2020 home opener on March 7 and "home re-opener" on Aug. 25 will both come versus Houston.

• Regular season record vs. Houston: 9-10-13
• All-competitions record vs. Houston: 14-16-14

Recent regular season meetings

Sporting's Next Six Matches