Fresh off the back of their cup triumph, Houston Dynamo resume Major League Soccer action on Sunday when they welcome Dallas to the Shell Energy Stadium.
The away side make the journey aiming to return to winning ways having had to make do with a share of the spoils in each of their last two matches.
Match preview
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Houston Dynamo came out on top in the grand finale of the 2023 US Open Cup with a 2-1 victory over Inter Miami at DRV PNK Stadium on Thursday.
Ben Olsen's men raced to a commanding lead thanks to strikes from Griffin Dorsey and Amine Bassi, after which Josef Martinez pulled one back in second-half stoppage time.
Prior to that, El Naranja suffered a 2-1 defeat against Sporting Kansas City and have dropped down to fourth place in the Western Conference of the MLS table as a result.
Awaiting them next is the challenge of an opposing side with little to choose between the teams judging from the most recent eight encounters, which have yielded two wins apiece and four draws.
Currently on a run of five wins in six home matches leading up to Sunday's involvement, the hosts are firing on all cylinders in front of their fans are will be confident of getting the job done once again.
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FC Dallas had to make do with a point last time out in a 1-1 stalemate against Philadelphia Union in Thursday's clash at Subaru Park.
Nico Estevez's men went behind to Quinn Sullivan's opener in the 25th minute before restoring parity 11 minutes later through Alan Velasco.
With 40 points amassed from 30 matches so far, the Cows sit ninth in the Western Conference standings, one point adrift of the last automatic playoff spot.
Sunday's visitors head into this weekend's game having come out on top in just one of their last nine matches on the road and will need to get going away from home if they are to secure a place in the postseason.
Team News
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Geovane Jesus and Bernard Kamungo are both guaranteed absentees for FC Dallas through injury, while Antonio Carrera remains unavailable for selection.
The visitors will also be without the services of Tarik Scott as the American teenager continues to battle with a long-term knee problem.
Jesus Ferreira has been directly involved in five goals in his last seven outings across all competitions, making him one to keep an eye on here.
Houston duo Ifunanyachi Achara and Tate Schmitt are ruled out through knee injuries and neither will play any part in this weekend's match.
Griffin Dorsey is expected to retain his place in the hosts' lineup, having found the back of the net in his last two starting appearances.
Houston Dynamo possible starting lineup:
Clark; Sviatchenko, Hadebe, Dos Santos; Dorsey, Artur, Caicedo, Quinones; Herrera, Baird, Kowalczyk
Dallas possible starting lineup:
Paes; Twumasi, Tafari, Antonio, Farfan; Quignon, Illarramendi; Arriola, Velasco, Obrian; Ferreira
We say: Houston Dynamo 3-1 Dallas
Houston Dynamo's solid defensive record on home turf has often provided them with the platform to come away with maximum points more often than not. We are tipping them to emerge triumphant in this one quite comfortably.
How to watch
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