Preview: Houston Dynamo vs. FC Cincinnati - prediction, team news, lineups

Houston Dynamo take on FC Cincinnati in the MLS on Saturday.

The two sides last met in July 2019, with Cincinnati winning 3-2 on that occasion.

Match preview

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Having failed to qualify for the end of season playoffs since 2017, when they reached the semi-finals for the seventh time in their history, Tab Ramos will be expected to lead Houston back there this season.

Incredibly, Houston won the MLS Cup in each of their first two seasons after being founded in December 2005, also finishing as runners-up in 2011 and 2012.

As such, there is great pressure on El Naranja to rediscover their glory years, with a respectable start to the season suggesting they may be capable of doing so if they can peak at the right moments during the campaign.

Three consecutive draws has slowed their progress in the table a little, though, with 14 points from 11 matches a solid enough return while clearly leaving room for improvement.

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Cincinnati, meanwhile, are a much newer club than their forthcoming opponents, having only been established as a franchise three years ago.

The Orange and Blue have understandably struggled to compete with more illustrious opponents in their early years, finishing 24th and 26th overall in the MLS.

Former Manchester United defender Jaap Stam was brought in as head coach last May, with the 48-year-old clearly struggling to dramatically improve matters on the pitch with only a 22% win rate so far during his time at the club.

However, two successive wins and clean sheets heading into Saturday's trip to Houston suggests that the tide may be turning slightly. A win would take them only one point behind Houston in the overall rankings with two games in hand on them.

Team News

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Houston will be without midfielder Matias Vera due to suspension after he picked up his fifth caution of the season during the 1-1 draw at Real Salt Lake.

However, Ramos will have Fafa Picault available once again after the forward was absent last time out for the same reason.

Cincinnati, meanwhile, will travel without Maikel van der Werff due to a pubalgia problem.

However, Gustavo Vallecilla is finally available after overcoming visa issues to start last time out in the 2-0 win at Toronto.

Houston Dynamo possible starting lineup:
Maric; Valentin, Parker, Junqua, Lundqvist; Jones, Corona; Pasher, Rodriguez, Picault; Urruti

FC Cincinnati possible starting lineup:
Vermeer; Gyau, Cameron, Vallecilla, Matarrita; Cruz, Kubo, Acosta; Barreal, Brenner, Atanga

We say: Houston Dynamo 1-1 FC Cincinnati

In truth there is very little to split these sides. We can envisage another draw for Houston when they face Cincinnati on Saturday.