Houston Dynamo face elimination against LAFC
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Somos fearless. Photo: Chris Gardner/Getty Images
Houston is the underdog in the MLS Western Conference final against LAFC on Saturday night in Los Angeles — but don't count them out just yet.
Catch up quick: The Dynamo are amid a deep run in the 2023 Major League Soccer playoffs, having bested Real Salt Lake and Sporting Kansas City in the first two rounds.
- The team finished fourth in the Western Conference with a record of 14-9-11 and face the third-place LAFC.
- The Dynamo swept LAFC during the regular season, outscoring the Black and Gold 5-0 over two games.
Why it matters: This is the Dynamo's first playoff appearance since 2017.
Driving the news: The Dynamo face elimination against a formidable opponent that's favored to win by MLS experts.
- The winner advances to the MLS Cup final, a winner-take-all championship match against either FC Cincinnati or the Columbus Crew.
Yes, but: Houston isn't going down without a fight.
What's happening: Midfield stars Hector Herrera and Jose Artur de Lima Jr. are set to lead the team to victory Saturday.
- "I believe that Artur is a big part of my success and what I've been able to accomplish this year, and I've told him that," Herrera told reporters Wednesday. "We have a great relationship, strong communication both on and off the field and he gives me the freedom to play because of how he plays his game."
What they're saying: Dynamo head coach Ben Olsen told media Wednesday that the city's buzz around the team is driving it to perform better.
- "We need to re-energize the community," Olsen said. "You do that by winning. It's about playing in the right way and in a style that resonates with our fans around the city."
- "It's also about eyeballs, with more people in the stands and winning back some old fans that got disgruntled. This is a new start for us."
What's next: The match, played in Los Angeles, kicks off at 8:30pm CST and will be streamed on MLS Season Pass.