Preview: Houston Dynamo vs Los Angeles Galaxy - prediction, team news, lineups

Still seeking their first away victory of the 2025 MLS campaign, the Los Angeles Galaxy pay a visit to Shell Energy Stadium for a Friday night affair with the Houston Dynamo.

Both sides are on the outside of the Western Conference playoff picture, with Orange Crush sitting two points below that line following a 1-1 draw with the Philadelphia Union, while LA remain dead last, claiming a 3-3 draw at Los Angeles FC.

Match preview

After a strong start to July, the Dynamo have cooled off in recent weeks, as their quest for a third successive post-season appearance has taken a hit.

Ben Olsen’s men are currently riding a three-match losing run in this competition, following an impressive 4-3 victory over the Western Conference leaders, San Diego FC, to begin July.

Unlike 2024, this edition of the Dynamo have rarely been consistent at home this year, winning just four times, while dropping points in four of their previous five league fixtures at Shell Energy Stadium.

Their backline have been leaky throughout the year at home, allowing 23 of their 39 regular season goals this year at Shell Energy Stadium, including three or more on five occasions.

Orange Crush have given up the opening goal in all four MLS encounters played this month, but have still collected four points, including a draw against the Union last Saturday.

Houston have won their last two meetings against the Galaxy at Shell Energy Stadium, conceding just once over that stretch, including a dramatic 2-1 triumph in this exact fixture last season.

Salvaging a dismal start to the 2025 season might not be possible at this stage of the year, but to their credit, the reigning MLS Cup champions are showing plenty of resilience.

The Galaxy have points in four of their last five league contests but are 13 points below the post-season line with only 10 matches remaining.

Greg Vanney’s side have been better away from home as well, collecting a point in three of their previous four MLS affairs as the visitors after losing seven of their first nine games on the road.

While they have made some minor improvements, there is still work to do defensively for them away from home, where they have given up 30 of their league-high 48 goals in this competition.

All five of their positive results as the visitors this year have occurred when they gave up the opening goal, while they have lost their only two away contests in MLS this year when drawing first blood.

LA have not won a match at Shell Energy Stadium since 2022 (3-1), but they have picked up at least a point in four of their previous five meetings against the Dynamo, conceding a goal or fewer in those three instances.

Houston Dynamo MLS form:

Los Angeles Galaxy MLS form:

Team News

Against the Union last week, Houston were without Andrew Tarbell and Nelson Quinones due to knee injuries, while Erik Sviatchenko was sidelined because of a lower-body issue.

A penalty converted by Jack McGlynn late in the opening half was the only scoring the Dynamo would have in their previous encounter, the first by an Orange Crush player since July 5.

Meanwhile, LA were once again missing Riqui Puig the last time out as the Spaniard continues to recover from his torn ACL sustained in last year’s playoffs.

A brace courtesy of Gabriel Pec gave the Galaxy life against their arch-rivals last Saturday, while captain Maya Yoshida rescued a point for them with an equaliser in the 97th minute.

Houston Dynamo possible starting lineup:

Bond; Bartlow, Ortiz, Escobar; Dorsey, Urso, Artur, McGlynn; Ennali, Ponce, Segal

Los Angeles Galaxy possible starting lineup:

Micovic; Yamane, Garces, Yoshida, Nelson; Sanabria, Cerrillo; Pec, Reus, Paintsil, Nascimento

We say: Houston Dynamo 1-2 Los Angeles Galaxy

Lately, the Dynamo have been susceptible at the back, and the Galaxy have come to life in the attacking third this month, netting multiple times in three of their four fixtures, and we believe they will continue that solid play on Friday.

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