Our prediction for this MLS match:
Houston Dynamo
Match Time & Date:
29/10/2023
05:00 PM
Prediction: 2-1
Real Salt Lake
Shell Energy Stadium will be packed when Houston Dynamo and Real Salt Lake lock horns in the MLS Cup last 16, first leg on Sunday evening. The Orange Crush continue with their old habit of producing much better performances on home soil than on the road and, as a result, the bookies see them as favourites to win the first leg. As Houston Dynamo were scoring goals for fun in the regular season finale, home win should be considered. Both Tate Schmitt and Ifunanyachi Achara are sidelined with injuries, but there are no suspended players in the home team.
The Royals, on the other hand, finished the regular season in style, with the team beating Colorado Rapids at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park, but they will have a much bigger fish to fry against Houston, who are a real force to be reckoned with at home. All Brayan Vera, Cristian Arango, Erik Hold, and Pablo Ruiz miss out with injuries, which is yet another reason why we are going to bet on the hosts.
Highlighted Player (Hector Herrera):
Mexico international Hector Herrera is a 26-year-old midfielder playing for Portugal giants FC Porto. Herrera began his career with Pachuca in 2010 and spent three years at the club before being sold to Porto. During his first season with the Dragons Herrera struggled for playing time, but he went on to cement his place in the starting eleven, becoming one of the most valuable players for the club.
Herrera has since them racked up over 110 performances for the Portugal side, scoring over 20 goals in the process. Full Mexico international since 2012, Hector Herrera represented his country at the 2014 World Cup.
During the summer of 2016 Herrera was heavily linked with a move away from Porto and was reported to have made a personal agreement with Italian side Napoli, but the €25 million asking price proved to be a stumbling block that ended up ruining the deal.
Highlighted Team (Real Salt Lake):
Real Salt Lake joined Major League Soccer in 2005 as an expansion team of the league and four years later they won their first MLS Cup. The Royals faced star-studded Los Angeles Galaxy in the title game at Qwest Field in Seattle and Jason Kreis’ troops defeated David Beckham and Co. on penalties.
In 2013 Real Salt Lake made it to the MLS Cup final for the second time in the club’s history, but they were beaten by Sporting Kansas City on penalties this time out. The Royals participated in the CONCACAF Champions League final in 2011 as well, but Monterrey of Mexico eventually won the title. Real Salt Lake footballers wear red shirts and blue shorts when playing at home, while the colour of their away kit is white.
The likes of Clint Mathis, Jeff Cunningham and Eddie Pope are some of the notable footballers who played for the club in the past. Jeff Cunningham scored 19 goals in 32 appearances in the league for the Royals.
Man City 
Everton
Liverpool
Burnley
Tottenham
Brighton
AS Roma
Inter
Bayer Leverkusen
Bayern Munich 
Nottingham Forest 
Newcastle 
