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Houston Dynamo
Major League Soccer
Jun 26, 2022 at 1am UK
Robertson Stadium
Chicago Fire

Houston
2 - 0
Chicago Fire

Ulfarsson (23'), Quintero (45+2')
Rodriguez (41'), Steres (64'), Ceren (79'), Parker (90+2')
FT(HT: 2-0)

Navarro (38'), Espinoza (81')

Preview: Houston Dynamo vs. Chicago Fire - prediction, team news, lineups

Sports Mole previews Sunday's Major League Soccer clash between Houston Dynamo and Chicago Fire, including predictions, team news and possible lineups.

For the first time since 2020, the Houston Dynamo and Chicago Fire will meet in an MLS regular season encounter on Saturday at PNC Stadium in Texas.

Houston have lost three consecutive games in all competitions, dropping down into 10th in the Western Conference, while the Fire ended an 11-match winless run thanks to a 1-0 triumph over DC United.


Match preview

Houston Dynamo midfielder Fafa Picault (10) celebrates his goal against the Inter Miami CF during the second half at DRV PNK Stadium on April 3, 2022© Reuters

We are over a third of the way through the 2022 season, and one of the more puzzling teams to figure out has been the Houston Dynamo.

There are times when Paulo Nagamura's side look eager and bring lots of intensity, while at other moments, they look discouraged and disinterested.

At the moment, Orange Crush seem to be patiently waiting in limbo for the arrival of Hector Herrera, who will soon be joining them from Atletico Madrid.

Whether he will be the missing link for them remains to be seen, but in the meantime, Houston have a lot of work to do if they are to climb back into a playoff position, two points behind the Seattle Sounders for that final spot heading into this weekend.

Nagamura has preferred a side who are aggressive in the midfield and can maintain possession, and that has been a steep learning curve for these players, who previously operated under a system based almost solely on high pressing under former boss Tab Ramos.

Chicago Fire head coach Ezra Hendrickson during the second half at Soldier Field on April 2, 2022© Reuters

After weeks of hard luck and narrow defeats, Ezra Hendrickson and his Chicago Fire finally got a well-deserved break in their previous encounter by defeating DC United.

From the get-go of that contest they were the aggressors, firing seven shots on target, while conceding none themselves, with the lone goal coming in the final 12 minutes.

So far in this campaign, 10 of their 14 points have come when collecting a clean sheet, as they have not allowed a shot on target in three MLS affairs this season.

We saw some impressive ball movements throughout their match last week as they are looking more ambitious going forward, and have had some solid link-up play.

Chicago head into this encounter dead last in the table, searching for their first victory away from home since March 12 when they blanked the Black and Red 2-0.

Houston Dynamo Major League Soccer form:
  • L
  • W
  • L
  • W
  • L
  • L

Houston Dynamo form (all competitions):
  • W
  • L
  • W
  • L
  • L
  • L

Chicago Fire Major League Soccer form:
  • L
  • L
  • D
  • L
  • L
  • W


Team News

Houston Dynamo FC forward Tyler Pasher (19) celebrates with teammates after scoring a goal during the second half against the Colorado Rapids at PNC Stadium on March 19, 2022© Reuters

Houston striker Sebastian Ferreira scored his sixth of the campaign in their defeat to Orlando City (2-1), moving ahead of Darwin Quintero for the team lead, with Zeca providing his first assist of the domestic campaign on that play.

Adam Lundqvist has made some nice contributions for Orange Crush in 2022, tallying three assists, two more than a year ago, while goalkeeper Steve Clark returned to the lineup last weekend, replacing Michael Nelson between the sticks, stopping four of the six shots fired his way.

Adalberto Carrasquilla is eligible to return after missing their matchup with the Lions through suspension, as Ethan Bartlow replaced him in the starting 11 and Ferreira played as the lone striker up high, taking the place of Thorleifur Ulfarsson.

DC keeper Rafael Romo misjudged a late Fabian Herbers header leading the Fire to victory last weekend, as Gabriel Slonina collected the shutout.

Kacper Przybylko picked up his first career Chicago assist on that goal, putting him just one back of Xherdan Shaqiri, Brian Gutierrez and Gaston Gimenez for the team lead.

Shaqiri missed their previous encounter with a thigh problem, Kendall Burks has a sore right knee, Miguel Navarro might not be available due to health and safety protocols and Jairo Torres remains questionable with a left hip injury.

Houston Dynamo possible starting lineup:
Clark; Lundqvist, Hadebe, Parker, Zeca; Vera, Carrasquilla; Picault, Rodriguez, Baird; Ferreira

Chicago Fire possible starting lineup:
Slonina; Sekulic, Omsberg, Czichos, Bornstein; F. Navarro, Gimenez; Herbers, Gutierrez, Mueller; Przybylko


SM words green background

We say: Houston Dynamo 0-1 Chicago Fire

The Fire are a long way off the playoff picture right now, but they are showing some fight while working collectively hard to improve, and the same cannot always be said about the Dynamo of late.


For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.


Top tip

Our expert tipster partners at Sporita.com are predicting over 2.5 goals in this match. Click here to find out what else they are predicting for this game and for more of their tried-and-tested football tips.Over 2.5:data


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Game History

How you voted: Houston vs Chicago Fire

Houston Dynamo
31.6%
Draw
26.3%
Chicago Fire
42.1%
19
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Spain
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Italy
Friday, June 21
 
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Tables header RHS

Group A

TeamPWDLPTS
1 Germany Germany11003
2 Switzerland Switzerland11003
3 Hungary Hungary10010
4 Scotland flag Scotland10010

Group B

TeamPWDLPTS
1 Spain Spain11003
2 Italy Italy11003
3 Albania national flag Albania10010
4 Croatia Croatia10010

Group C

TeamPWDLPTS
1 Denmark Denmark00000
2 England flag England00000
3 Serbia Serbia00000
4 Slovenia Slovenia00000

Group D

TeamPWDLPTS
1 Austria Austria00000
2 France France00000
3 Netherlands Netherlands00000
4 Poland Poland00000

Group E

TeamPWDLPTS
1 Belgium Belgium00000
2 Romania Romania00000
3 Slovakia Slovakia00000
4 Ukraine Ukraine00000

Group F

TeamPWDLPTS
1 Czech Republic Czech Republic00000
2 Georgia Georgia00000
3 Portugal Portugal00000
4 Turkey Turkey00000


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