Houston Dynamo vs Charlotte

PNC Stadium forms the backdrop for a first-ever Major League Soccer meeting between Houston Dynamo and Charlotte.

Houston Dynamo’s hopes of securing the Western Conference playoffs have taken several hits of late, as they’ve suffered three defeats in their last four MLS matches (W1). With seventh-placed Los Angeles Galaxy now three points away, Houston can ill-afford another sub-par performance if they are to stay within touching distance. However, the ‘Orange Crush’ have alternated between winning (2) and losing (2) across their last four home league games, highlighting their infamous issues with inconsistency. Scoring first would come in handy, though, as four of Houston’s previous home MLS home fixtures have seen one or both sides fail to find the net.

In the meantime, Charlotte have suffered a dramatic dip in form since beating New York Red Bulls at home 2-0 in early June, going winless in their last three MLS outings since (D1, L2). Charlotte’s identical three-match form on the road sums up their underdog status in a nutshell. What’s more, Christian Lattanzio’s men head into proceedings as one of only two MLS sides yet to pick up a single league triumph away from home this season (D2, L7). Much of the credit for that disgraceful feat goes to Charlotte’s problems in front of goal that have seen the average just 0.66 goals per MLS travel this term.