Our prediction for this MLS match:
Shell Energy Stadium will host Sunday’s football game between Houston Dynamo and Sporting Kansas City, the two teams who take on each other in the season opener. The Orange Crush were beaten by both Leones Negros and Orlando City in pre-season and given their poor display in the CONCACAF Champions League defeat to St Louis City, home win should not be considered. Carlos Ferreira limped off with injury in the defeat to St Louis City, with Bradley Smith likely to step up.
The Wizards, on the other hand, aim to build on pre-season wins over Miami FC and Atlanta United, but seeing that Houston are generally tough to beat at home, we believe that there is a big value in betting on draw. Defender Kortne Ford should miss out with injury for the visiting team, while the opposition back-line should have Alan Pullido at bay.
Highlighted Player (Hector Herrera):
![Hector Herrera](https://footballpredictions.com/wp-content/plugins/fp-highlights/imageid/player/5664830.png)
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 (Sporting Kansas City):
![Sporting Kansas City](https://footballpredictions.com/wp-content/plugins/fp-highlights/imageid/team/72023746.png)
Sporting Kansas City have been competing in Major League Soccer since 1996 and they won their first MLS Cup trophy in 2000. The club faced Chicago Fire at Robert F. Kennedy Memorial Stadium in Washington in the play-offs final and Miklos Jon Molnar scored the winner for Bob Gansler’s team. 13 years later Sporting Kansas City met with Solt Lake in the title game and they were fortunate to defeat the Royals on penalties.
The Wizards welcome their rivals at Children’s Mercy Park, but they used to play some games at Blue Valley Sports Complex, Julian Field, Hermann Stadium and Durwood Soccer Stadium in the past as well. Sporting Kansas City were founded in 1995 and the club’s original name was Kansas City Wiz.
The Wizards wear navy blue shirts and dark blue shorts when playing at home, while the colour of their away kit is blue. Former Wigan Athletic man Roger Espinosa is regarded as one of the club’s most notable players and he has been playing for the Children’s Mercy Park outfit since 2015.