Week 17 of MLS NEXT Pro has arrived and the Game of the Week is a Western Conference clash between Texas rivals North Texas SC and Houston Dynamo 2 at Choctaw Stadium in Arlington, Texas on Friday. The action is set to kick off at 9 p.m. ET.
How to watch
This and every match will be available to stream live and free of charge on MLSNEXTPro.com.
MLS NEXT Pro has teamed up with automated camera technology provider Spiideo to deliver live streams of all MLS NEXT Pro matches, ensuring every game this season will be available for viewing on MLSNEXTPro.com.
The matchup is this week's MLS NEXT Pro Game of the Week, so viewers will experience a multi-camera production for this match.
North Texas SC has been a consistent powerhouse in the Western Conference all season, yet the club has faltered in recent weeks. Three of the last four match weeks to be exact, as NTSC suffered three losses in its last four games with the latest being a 3-1 defeat to Earthquakes II.
Now on a two-game skid, the team from North Texas is on the hunt for three points to avoid three straight losses and maintain the third seed in the Western Conference.
Their opponent this week is Houston Dynamo 2, who currently is level on points with NTSC in the West with 30 and won the first matchup 3-2 at Toyota Stadium. Safe to say there’s a lot at stake in this upcoming iteration of the Texas derby.
Head coach Pa-Modou Kah acknowledged after the loss to Quakes II that his side is lacking depth on the roster for the rest of the season, but that won’t stop the team from coming in with a game plan.
“We have played a lot of games, so we add that depth to the squad so players can come in and out,” Kah said in a postgame interview. “It helps some players catch a breather in such a long season
"We will focus and prepare during the week because we have a derby on Friday. We are already looking forward to that.”
All that being said, North Texas will be at home and will look for its dynamic frontline to spark momentum to excite the fans in the stands.
Players to Watch:
Bernard Kamungo, forward - The talented 20-year-old leads North Texas SC with nine goals this season. In a game where his side needs all three points, look for the talisman to get on the scoresheet.
Hope Avayevu, forward - As the orchestrator of the offense with six assists on the season so far, look for Avayevu to put his red card behind him and facilitate the ball against Houston Dynamo 2.
Jose Mulato, forward - Mulato is the second leading scorer on the team with four goals and if North Texas SC is to win the 19-year-old must be a scoring threat to break down the Dynamo Dos backline.
After losing three straight games, Houston Dynamo 2 are now unbeaten in its last three games and hold the fourth seed in the Western Conference. Meaning a win against in-state rivals North Texas SC will push the streak to four games and result in the team moving up to third in the West.
Dynamos Dos’ latest win was a 4-1 victory over Real Monarchs and it showed the club may be back to being the juggernaut the league did not want to face early in the season.
With leading scorer Roberto Avila now playing in the MLS, Dynamo Dos initially struggled to replace his production and dynamism. However, four different players scored in the win over Real Monarchs, showing the team still has the talent and depth to compete with any team.
Now with an opportunity to leapfrog its Texas rivals and continue to solidify a playoff position, Dynamo Dos will certainly bring everything it has despite being on the road.
Players to Watch:
Papa Ndoye, forward - The 23-year-old forward has four goals and three assists this season but has not scored in the last three games. Look for that to change as Ndoye pulls the strings in the frontline.
Marcelo Palomino, midfielder - Palomino has equally been critical to the Dynamo Dos success with three goals and an assist. The 21-year-old may again pop up with a clutch goal or assist that pushes his side over the top.
Jon-Talen Maples, defender - Maples is a 23-year-old defender but you may not know it as he has three goals for Dynamo Dos so far. Look for Maples to organize the backline and possibly contribute a crucial goal.
