Foxy Watch Guide: 2019 MLS Opening Day

Andres Naranjo
Mar 2, 2019
2 min read

Houston Dynamo are set to open their 14th season in Major League Soccer as they welcome Real Salt Lake, just days after their 2-1 victory over CD Guastatoya to advance to the Quarterfinals of the Concacaf Champions League.

Key Notes:

• The Dynamo are 6W-3D-1L in MLS home openers, with a nearly perfect record at BBVA Compass Stadium (5W-1D-0L).

• Houston is 12W-6D-10L (10W-1D-3L at home) in league play against Real Salt Lake.

• This will be the seventh consecutive home opener for the Dynamo, with their last opening day on the road played in March of 2012 against Chivas USA in Carson, California.

The Dynamo begin their true trial by fire this Saturday night as they enter their second major competition in 2019. With three matches in the next seven days, the team will have a better idea on how to build a consistent squad rotation that is capable of producing results on a weekly basis, but that is easier said than done.

Houston comes in with confidence after bouncing back late in their last match at home and they look to keep the momentum going with the hopes of translating their latest positive results into a strong start in MLS. And by missing the MLS Cup Playoffs for the first time in the Cabrera Era yet breaking several club records and winning the Open Cup this past year, the team will be inspired to turn things around and take the role as the dark horse from the neutral standpoint.

Real Salt Lake are coming in with a different groove to open the Major League Soccer campaign at BBVA Compass Stadium. They can play a serious threat to the Dynamo despite only winning two out of their five experimental preseason matches (including two losses against MLS opponents in the Mobile Mini Sun Cup). With the attacking prowess of Jefferson Savarino, Joao Plata, and Brooks Lennon to lead those dangerous runs inside the channels and an experienced midfield featuring Luke Mulholland and Kyle Beckerman seeking to destroy those counters favored so much by Houston, RSL have a fair chance to do some damage if the orange back line does not step up their game.

#MLSisBack, and anything can happen to be honest!