The Basics
Houston Dynamo vs. C.D. Guastatoya
Tuesday, February 26, 2019, 7:00 p.m. CT
BBVA Compass Stadium, Houston, Texas
Scotiabank Concacaf Champions Round of 16, Leg 2
Broadcast Information
YahooSports.com – 7:00 p.m. (English)
Yahoo Sports app – 7:00 p.m. (English)
UnivisionDeportes.com – 7:00 p.m. (Español)
Univision Deportes app – 7:00 p.m. (Español)
Preview
The Houston Dynamo will open their 2019 home season on Tuesday night when they host two-time Guatemalan champions CD Guastatoya for the second leg of their Scotiabank Concacaf Champions League Round of 16 series.
The Dynamo come into Tuesday in as good of shape as they could hope for after defeating Los Pechos Amarillos 1-0 last Tuesday in Guatemala City. Not only did the victory put them a goal ahead on aggregate, but it gave them a vital away goal as well, should Guastatoya return the favor this week.
Guastatoya employed a highly defensive game plan, with five defenders and four midfielders poised to choke off any space for Houston's potent attacking trio. The tactic was largely successful, but U.S. National Team legend DaMarcus Beasley rose to the occasion in the 84th minute with a right-footed blast off of a Guastatoya clearance to give the Dynamo the victory.
The Dynamo can advance to the tournament Quarterfinals with a win or a draw on Tuesday. If Guastatoya win 1-0, the teams would settle things with a penalty kick shootout to determine the winner. Because the first tiebreaker is goals scored away from home, a Guastatoya victory in which they score two or more goals would send them through to the Quarters.
While Guastatoya are in the middle of their domestic season, Houston opens its 2019 Major League Soccer campaign on Saturday, March 2 when they host Real Salt Lake. That match is scheduled for a 5 p.m. CST kickoff. The Dynamo head into 2019 looking to rebound from a disappointing 2018 league campaign in which they missed the playoffs after conceding a franchise-record 58 goals.
Houston's priority throughout the offseason was addressing the back line in order to cut down on those goals allowed. The club signed defenders “Kiki” Struna and Maynor Figueroa, both of whom started at center back, and added defensive midfielder Matías Vera to give cover to the back line. All three started last Tuesday and helped La Naranja open the season with a clean sheet.
Advancement Scenarios
- The Houston Dynamo advance to the Scotiabank Concacaf Champions League Quarterfinals with any win or draw.
- If Guastatoya wins by a 1-0 score, the teams will immediately go to penalty kicks to determine who advances.
- Gustatoya advances with a win by more than two goals.
Officials
Referee: Héctor Said Martinez (HON)
Assistant Referee 1: Jairo Morales Garcia (PUR)
Assistant Referee 2: Raymundo Feliz (DOM)
Fourth Official: Leonel Leal (CRC)
