Houston Dynamo FC kickoff Dynamo Charities Weekend on Saturday at 8 p.m. against the Vancouver Whitecaps FC at BBVA Stadium. This is the first meeting between both teams since the end of the 2019 season due to the abbreviated 2020 campaign.
The Dynamo look to bounce back after falling 3-1 to the Colorado Rapids last Saturday. The defeat closed a three-game stretch across eight days and Houston finished with a 1-1-1 record in that run. Christian Ramirez earned his first start of the season and scored Houston’s lone goal on Saturday. Last Saturday’s game was a first for many players on the pitch as Academy product Nico Lemoine earned his first professional start and forward Mateo Bajamich made his MLS debut. Additionally, defenders Jose Bizama and Alejandro Fuenmayor earned their first start of the season.
The Dynamo look to extend their unbeaten run at home this season and enter the game with a 2-0-1 record at BBVA Stadium. Houston also enters the game with a 5-1-1 record at home against the Whitecaps and won the last meeting at BBVA Stadium, 3-2, at the beginning of the 2019 regular season. The Dynamo split the series with Vancouver in 2019 after falling 2-1 at BC Place on Sept. 14.
The Whitecaps are one of three Canadian teams currently residing in the United States for the 2021 regular season. Vancouver opened the year with a 1-0 victory over the Portland Timbers on April 18, but enter with a two-game losing streak after falling on the road 3-0 against Sporting Kansas City last week.
The Dynamo end the month with a road trip to Children’s Mercy Park against Sporting Kansas City at 7:30 p.m. CT on Saturday, May 29. The match will air live on QuestTexas ch. 55 in English and TeleXitos 47.2 in Spanish.
<strong>WHO:</strong> |
<p>Houston Dynamo FC vs. Vancouver Whitecaps FC </p> |
<strong>WHEN:</strong> |
<p>Saturday, May 22 – 8:00 p.m. CT </p> |
<strong>TV:</strong> |
<p>QuestTexas ch. 55 (Glenn Davis, Eddie Robinson and Cindy Burbano) </p> |
<strong>RADIO:</strong> |
<p>Spanish: TUDN Radio Houston 1010 AM (Daniel Mejia and Lester Gretsch) </p> |
Here are three key points ahead of Saturday’s game:  
- DYNAMO CHARITIES TAKE CENTER STAGE: The first-ever Dynamo Charities Weekend begins on Saturday as the Dynamo return to BBVA Stadium and the festivities continue Sunday as the Dash host Kansas City NWSL in the regular season home opener at 6 p.m. CT. The weekend will see both teams, as well as many of the Club's corporate partners and both teams' fans, come together to raise funds for Dynamo Charities. On the field, nearly two dozen Houston Dynamo FC and Houston Dash players are participating by committing to donate their customized match-worn boots. The custom-painted boots will be available for auction early next week on the Dash Auction app. BBVA Stadium will offer fans several ways to donate, including a digital donation portal accessible via a special QR code available throughout the building. Levy Restaurants will offer a commemorative cup for $2 with net proceeds going to Dynamo Charities and Fanatics will also donate a portion of the weekend’s sales to non-profit arm of Houston Dynamo Football Club. Additional details are available on HoustonDynamoFC.com.
- DYNAMO OFFENSE LOOKS FOR FINAL TOUCH: Houston was limited to eight shots last Saturday against the Colorado Rapids, the second fewest this season. Forward Christian Ramirez found the back of the net in the first half against the Rapids and the Dynamo were limited to one goal for the fifth consecutive game. Houston will look to create more opportunities on Saturday without Tyler Pasher, who leads the team with eight chances created but has missed three games due to a lower body injury. The responsibility will fall on midfielders Memo Rodriguez and Matias Vera have combined for 12 chances created and one assist. Fafa Picault will also be tasked with creating opportunities on Saturday after resting over the weekend in Colorado.
- RICARDO CLARK RETURNS TO BBVA STADIUM: Dynamo legend Ricardo Clark returns to BBVA Stadium on Saturday for the first time since he retired on Feb. 12, 2020. The two-time MLS Cup champion returns as an assistant coach for the Vancouver Whitecaps after beginning his coaching career with the Houston Dynamo FC Academy in 2019 and spending time with the U-20 US Men’s National Team. Clark represented Houston for nearly a decade and finished with the second most games in club history with 304 matches played and 25,139 minutes played in all competitions for the Dynamo. This is the first senior coaching experience for Clark who was completing his United Soccer States Federation ‘A’ license earlier this year.
