Who: Philadelphia Union (1st place, 46 points, record 14-4-5) vs. Houston Dynamo (11th place, 26 points, 7-5-11)
What: 2025 regular season game
Where: Shell Energy Stadium
When: Saturday, July 19th, 8:30 PM
Watch: MLS Season Pass on Apple TV+, Listen in on 97.5 FM
Whistle: Ref: Rosendo Mendoza, AR1: Adam Wienckowski, AR2: Meghan Mullen, 4th: Alyssa Pennington, VAR: Elijio Arreguin, AVAR: Jonathan Johnson

Photo courtesy Philadelphia Union

On the tails of a midweek victory over CF Montreal, the Union travel to Texas to face Union academy product Jack McGlynn and the Houston Dynamo. This will be Houston’s first time hosting the Union in any match since the Dynamo’s 3-0 win in the 2019 U.S. Open Cup final.

The clubs most recently met each other in Chester in 2022, where the Union came away with all three points in a 6-0 rout, and given Houston’s recent form, another one-sided scoreline is not entirely impossible on the road. 

Scouting Report: Houston Dynamo

The offseason departures of Hector Herrera and Adalberto Carasquilla to Liga MX have left plenty of holes to fill for Ben Olsen’s side. The cash deal for Jack McGlynn sparked some hope into their midfield, but the left-footed midfielder does not have the support around him to fully replace Herrera’s impact. 

Houston has lost seven of their twelve home matches this season, most recently falling 3-0 to Vancouver Whitecaps on Wednesday, July 16th. Houston has been leaking goals at home in recent weeks, conceding ten in their last five home matches. The loss to Vancouver is the third time they’ve conceded three or more goals at home since the beginning of June. 

As another note for those of you who like the details, Jack McGlynn is not the only former Union man among the Dynamo. Obafemi Awodesu is another YSC academy graduate who went on to play for Penn State and unexpectedly went undrafted in the 2024 MLS SuperDraft. He played for Houston’s Next Pro affiliate, Dynamo Dos, last season, and penned a first-team deal. He made his MLS debut in 2025. He was a starter for Houston to begin the season, but recently has been entering late as a substitute.

• Player Availability: Nelson Quinones – Knee (Out), Brooklyn Raines – Suspended (Out), Erik Sviatchenko – Lower Body (Out), Andrew Tarbell – Knee (Out)

Scouting Report: Philadelphia Union

Because the Philadelphia Union II will kick off in Charlotte, North Carolina, against Crown Legacy FC approximately an hour and a half before this match, it means that many of the players who float between the two teams will be needed in MLS NEXT Pro. This is the second time this season that both teams have played simultaneously. 

Bradley Carnell’s side will be eager to maintain its one-point cushion over FC Cincinnati in the Eastern Conference and will prey on Houston’s recent defensive form through the high-pressing system. Expect another gritty performance from the Boys in Blue.

In team news, Jesus Bueno is no longer questionable on the MLS Player Status Report.

• Player Availability: Ian Glavinovich – Knee (Out)

Key Matchup: Olwethu Makhanya vs Ezequiel Ponce

The South African center back is fresh off his first MLS goal and has been on an impressive run of form in the Union’s recent matches. Ponce is Houston’s leading goalscorer and will likely be the target man to revive Houston’s home form. Makhanya will have his hands full with the Argentine forward.

Player to Watch: Jack McGlynn

Given how McGlynn’s time in Philadelphia ended earlier this year, there will likely be some emotions surrounding this match that will make him want to have a standout performance. The 22-year-old is still somewhat fresh off his National Team call-up, where he joined seven other Union academy products to help the United States to the final of the CONCACAF Gold Cup. Anticipate some kind of magic to come from his left foot tonight.  

Prediction: 1-0 Philadelphia

The Union has no reason to lose this match, considering Houston’s recent home form. Philadelphia’s away wins this season have consisted mainly of one-goal margins, and this match is shaping up to look like another hard-fought victory. The key will be limiting Jack McGlynn’s contributions in the midfield and staying on top of Ezequiel Ponce.