Houston Dynamo v San Diego FC: Varas seeking consistency ahead of playoffs

San Diego FC head coach Mikey Varas has urged his side to find consistency ahead of the start of the playoffs.

Despite leading the way in the Western Conference, San Diego have failed to win their last three MLS fixtures following a six-game unbeaten run.

They could still finish as low as fourth in the conference as both the Vancouver Whitecaps and Los Angeles FC have games in hand over San Diego, while Minnesota United sit two points behind in third.

However, Varas is only focused on his own team as they prepare to face a difficult Houston Dynamo side on the road.

"The main objective for this week and the main thing on our mind is to stay consistent and to keep our highest level going for as long as possible in a game," said Varas.

"If we do that, we will reach the playoffs in the best condition possible.

"With this match specifically, it is about how we can get pressure on a team that is very good with the ball.

"They are not afraid to play inside, outside, at the top, so that presents a great challenge for us, and we are really excited for that.

"And then the other one is, how can we dictate play. Ultimately, everyone knows if we can just clean ourselves up a bit in our final actions, making the right plays in both boxes, then we set ourselves up for a good run."

Houston will see this match as a must-win game as they sit two points below the play-in positions with just two games to go.

The Dynamo have won just once in their last four games, losing 3-1 to Nashville SC last time out.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Houston Dynamo – Junior Urso

Thirty-six-year-old Junior Urso scored his first goal of the season in Houston's loss to Nashville.

He became the first player to score for Houston at 36 or older since 37-year-old Maynor Figueroa scored in two different matches in September 2020.

San Diego FC – Anders Dreyer

Anders Dreyer has scored a league-best 13 goals on the road this season, the fourth most in a single regular season in MLS history.

The others with 13+ road goals in a single campaign are Carlos Vela (16 in 2019), Josef Martinez (15 in 2018) and Chris Wondolowski (14 in 2012).

MATCH PREDICTION – DRAW

The Dynamo have scored in nine straight MLS matches and in 19 of their last 21 in league play. Houston have been held scoreless once at home this regular season (in July v Vancouver) but are tied for the fifth-fewest home goals (18).

San Diego have not lost on the road since May, recording a streak of eight games unbeaten (W7 D1). Since the start of June, San Diego have scored a league-high 21 goals on the road, tallying multiple goals in seven of their eight road matches.

Houston earned a 4-3 win in their first meeting with San Diego in July, the most goals the expansion side has conceded in a regular-season match. The Dynamo are looking to become the first team to beat San Diego in two different matches.

In their last six league matches, Houston have won two, drawn one and lost three. San Diego, meanwhile, have won two, drawn two and lost two in their last six.

OPTA WIN PROBABILITY

Houston Dynamo – 34.7%

Draw – 25.9%

San Diego FC – 39.4%