MATCH PREVIEW: Houston Dynamo FC journey east for an interconference matchup versus Orlando City SC

HOUSTON (April 17, 2026) – Houston Dynamo FC hit the street on Saturday, April 18, touring east for a interconference matchup versus Orlando City SC at Inter&Co Stadium, with kickoff is ready for six:30 p.m. CT. Fans can stream the motion dwell on Apple TV.

Saturday’s fixture will mark the primary assembly between the 2 sides since 2022, and Houston will look to realize the higher hand within the all-time common season sequence in opposition to Orlando, which is at the moment tied at two wins apiece, with the Dynamo holding a 7-4 edge in targets scored.

Houston is coming off a midweek U.S. Open Cup victory after defeating USL Championship aspect El Paso Locomotive FC 4-1 within the Round of 32 on Wednesday night time at Shell Energy Stadium. The match featured three objective contributions from midfielder Ondřej Lingr, who scored his first objective of the 12 months, whereas registering two assists. Forwards Ezequiel Ponce and Nick Markanich additionally recorded their first targets of the 12 months. Notably, Markanich, defender Agustin Resch and defender Sam Vines every made their first Dynamo begins tonight, whereas ahead Aliyu Ibrahim and goalkeeper Jimmy Maurer made their first begins of the 12 months.

The Dynamo will now host one other USL Championship aspect, Louisville City FC, within the Round of 16 on Wednesday, April 29, with kickoff scheduled for 7:00 p.m. CT. Fans can safe their tickets for the match HERE through Tixr for as little as $5, and can even study extra in regards to the Club’s Community First Ticket Offers and Value Menu for the 2026 season HERE.

Attacker Guilherme is tied for third in MLS with 9 objective contributions (5 targets and 4 assists). Additionally, the Brazilian is tied for fourth within the league for many targets and third within the league for many assists. 

Additionally, ahead Lawrence Ennali sits fourth in MLS in one-on-ones with eight, successful seven for an 87.5 % success price. He can also be tied for first within the league with a high velocity of 35.96 kilometers per hour.

Orlando can also be coming off U.S. Open Cup motion, incomes a 1-0 victory over USL League One aspect FC Naples on Wednesday, with Tyrese Spicer scoring the group’s lone objective. Orlando will subsequent journey to face the New England Revolution within the Round of 16. 

In common season play, Orlando has a 1-3-1 (WLD) document over its final 5 matches and is coming off a 1-1 draw at Columbus Crew SC. They at the moment sit 13^th within the Eastern Conference standings with 4 factors and a 1-5-1 (WLD) document.

In phrases of roster connections, Orlando have former Dynamo defender Griffin Dorsey on their roster, after Houston traded the American to the Lions in February in trade for $1 million in General Allocation Money (GAM) and a future promote on share. Houston’s present captain, Antônio Carlos, signed with the Dynamo in July final 12 months after taking part in 105 matches in all competitions for the Lions, whereas taking part in a key function in serving to the membership win its first trophy, the 2022 U.S. Open Cup.

Today, the Dynamo introduced the signing of Dynamo Academy product Mattheo Dimareli to an MLS NEXT Pro contract by means of June 2027. The 16-year-old ahead will then be a part of the primary group on an MLS contract as a Homegrown Player beginning in July 2027. Notably, the Cy-Fair (Houston) native is the 21^st Dynamo Academy product to signal a Homegrown contract with the primary group and the 10^th signed by President of Soccer Pat Onstad since he took cost of soccer operations in February 2022. Additionally, Dimareli is the 12^th Dynamo Academy product to signal knowledgeable contract with Houston Dynamo 2.

The Dynamo return to Shell Energy Stadium on for a midweek matchup versus San Diego FC on Wednesday, April 22, with kickoff scheduled for 7:30 p.m. CT. Fans can safe their tickets for the match through Tixr HERE.