Houston Dynamo vs Real Salt Lake live online: score, stats and updates | MLS Cup Playoffs
Houston Dynamo vs Real Salt Lake: Live blog
Decent opening for Houston as the ball is clipped over the RSL backline to find Carrasquilla running in on goal. He looks to cushion the ball back across the six-yard box but he gets it all wrong and it lands in the arms of Zac MacMath.
The players return to the field we're back to it now.
We'll have a brief water break now so the players can take on some liquids.
It's hot out there, on this Texas evening.
Close! Houston Dynamo
More promising play from Houston as Quinones and Bassi combine on the edge of the box. The ball falls to Quinones and the Colombian lets fly but his curling effort goes over the crossbar.
How will that goal affect RSL? They were clearly content with sitting back in the opening stages, but they have really offered nothing in an offensive sense so far.
The Houston crowd are cheering 'Ole' for every Dynamo pass.
WATCH: Hector Herrera goal puts Houston ahead
Here it is, Houston Dynamo's first playoff goal since 2017. The hosts had been dominated in the opening stages but RSL had stayed strong and managed to prevent any balls in behind. All it took was one loose ball and Herrera made them pay.
You wouldn't have thought it was possible, but the noise has increased even further with that Hector Herrera opener!
It was a brilliant strike from the Houston captain. THe ball was clipped forward towards Corey Baird, who did well to knock the ball down to the edge of the box. Herrera was there and the Mexican international took a neat touch before firing it into the bottom corner.
Houston deservedly ahead.
GOOOOAAAAAL! Hector Herrera
The Houston Dynamo captain makes the breakthrough! Brilliant strike from just inside the box that flies into the bottom corner.
That was the moment of magic that Houston were waiting for!
Hector Herrera's free kick is straight into the wall and RSL boot it clear. Houston regain possession and get back on the offensive.
Brilliant footwork from Carrasquilla, who skips past two RSL challenges before playing the ball out with to Baird. Houston lose possession but the referee pulls the play back for the free kick.
A chance for Herrera to shoot from range The free kick is right of centre, around 30 yards from goal....
Huge applause from the Houston support as club captain Hector Herrera jogs across to take a corner kick.
His right-footed delivery is driven to the near post and bounces around, before being thrashed clear by a panicked RSL defender.
The visitors look a little overwhelmed so far.
No wonder the home crowd is in such good voice! Supporters were given a 'Beers on Ben' voucher for tonight's Game, at the request of head coach Ben Olsen.
For the first time so far, Carrasquilla and Dorsey combine to get the young right back tearing forward on the right wing. His miscues his cross and MacMath easily collects, but that's promising for the hosts.
Houston's Panamanian wideman Adalberto Carrasquilla is ostensibly playing off the right, but has been given free reign to drift inside and make things happen in the middle.
In recent months that movement has got the best out of young right back Griffin Dorsey. He's been fairly quiet so far, but you can see him taking up those very advanced positions.
First spell of possession for Real Salt Lake as the visitors play it around at the back. Once again they look for Diego Luna to bring the ball forward down the flank but he's stopped in his tracks.
Houston back on the ball, the noise at Shell Energy Stadium is ramped up again.
Houston are frequently looking for Quinones on the left flank, playing a number of long raking passes over to the young Colombian in the opening minutes.
RSL clear the corner and Diego Luna makes progress down the left wing. His momentum is slowed by recovering Houston defenders and the hosts recover the ball.
Good work from Quinones for Houston on the left flank, getting to the byline and sending in a deep cross. The ball is cleared to Dorsey on the edge of the box and his long-range effort is deflected out for a corner kick.
Real Salt Lake are starting off very deep here, allowing Houston to push their backline ten yards into the opposition half in possession. RSL will be looking to hit the host quickly on the break through their wingback.
Positive early moments for Houston as they look to play through Herrera and towards the RSL back three. They look up for this one...
And we're off!
We're underway in Texas, lets see what tonight's Western Conference clash has in store.
We're nearly ready to go
The Texas skies are blue but the stands at Shell Energy Stadium are packed with vibrant orange. There's a carnival atmosphere in the stadium as Houston prepare to make their long-awaited return to the MLS playoffs.
Kick-off approaches at Shell Energy Stadium
Ben Olsen's side have surprised many people this season with their run to lift the US Open Cup. They built on that success by finishing fourth in the Western Conference, securing their first playoff qualification in seven years.
They will be eager to make their mark in the post-season this year.
Real Salt Lake missing key players for Houston trip
RSL boss Pablo Mastroeni is without two key players for tonight's Round One opener against Houston. Club record signing Chicho Arango is out due to a hamstring injury. Arango lifted MLS Cup with LAFC last season and returned to MLS after a brief spell in Mexico at the start of 2023. He returned to team training this week but has not made the trip to Texas tonight.
Also out is club captain Justin Glad. RSL are expecting to have both players back for next week's return fixture.
Houston in the house
Quite a variety of fashion statements on show for the hosts tonight as Houston Dynamo arrive at Shell Energy Stadium. Mexican international Hector Herrera leads the team making their first playoff appearance since 2016.
And here's how Real Salt Lake line up
Bad news for RSL as they are forced to begin the playoff journey without talismanic striker Chicho Arango. The 2022 MLS Cup winner returned to full training this week and was expected to be back in the team for the trip to Houston. His absence will be a major loss for Real.
Here's the Houston Dynamo starting XI
There are no major surprises in Ben Olsen's first Houston team of the 2023 MLS Cup Playoffs. They surprised many to clinch fourth spot in the Western Conference and will be looking to cause a few upsets with their front-foot style of play.
MLS
How often do the Supporters’ Shield winners lift the MLS Cup?
Can either of these teams realistically win the playoffs? Given their regular season performance it may seem like FC Cincinnati are the heavy favourites, but History shows that the Supporters' Shield champions rarely lift the MLS Cup.
So who else? Houston have proved themselves a very capable knock-out comPetition team this season, lifting the US Open Cup with a victory over Inter Miami. RSL boast the big-Game experience of Chicho Arango, whose goals fired LAFC to the title last season.
Read more
The stage is set
It's a bright Texas afternoon and Shell Stadium is starting to fill up for today's MLS Cup Playoffs clash between Houston Dynamo and Real Salt Lake. The fourth and fifth seeds in the Western Conference go head to head over a three-Game Round One series.
Hello and welcome to AS USA, where we will be bringing you live coverage of Houston Dynamo vs Real Salt Lake.
I'm Will Gittins and I'll be bringing you all the latest from Shell Stadium as both teams begin their MLS Cup journey this evening.
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