Match story
- Houston Dynamo created the clearer chances on xG (1.70 vs 0.84, Δ 0.86).
- Austin fired more attempts (15 vs 10 shots).
- Austin held more of the ball (54% possession).
Houston Dynamo defeated Austin 3-0 in Major League Soccer. The fixture is part of the Regular Season - 17 stage in the 2026 season. The match was played at Shell Energy Stadium in Houston. F. Dujic officiated the match. The full-time result capped a Houston Dynamo vs Austin meeting in Major League Soccer with detailed post-match statistics available on Sportra. This match centre covers lineups, live events, player ratings, team statistics, xG, head-to-head history, and related news for Houston Dynamo and Austin. On Sportra you can view xG, lineups, match statistics, events, player ratings, predictions, head-to-head history, and related news for this fixture.
Major League SoccerRecorded meetings: 10 (available previous meetings, not necessarily all-time).
Sporting Kansas City were thrashed 4-0 by Los Angeles FC last week, with improvements required ahead of hosting the in-form Houston Dynamo. The post Wicky says MLS strugglers Sporting KC must eliminate defensive errors appeared first on SoccerNews.
The 2026 MLS All-Star Game will pit the best players from MLS against the best from Liga MX in Charlotte. The 2026 MLS All-Star Game takes place this Wednesday at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, pitting the league’s best against a Liga MX all-star squad in a rivalry that continues to grow every year. This year’s edition arrives with plenty of storylines, from young breakout talents to World Cup-tested veterans on both sides of the border. One notable absence looms over the occasion: Lionel Messi won’t be suiting up for MLS. The Inter Miami captain is still working through his mandated rest period following Argentina’s run to the World Cup final. His teammate Rodrigo De Paul finds himself in the same situation, also sidelined for the exhibition as part of that same post-tournament recovery window. Neither player will face any sanction over their absence, since the league was informed of their unavailability well in advance and both were left off the roster from the start. Their absence opens the door for other players to headline the occasion, and MLS has no shortage of star power to lean on. Son Heung-Min, Thomas Muller, and a mix of proven MLS regulars and rising prospects make up a 29-player squad selected through a combination of coach’s picks, commissioner’s selections, and fan voting. Our best. Their best. 🥊Watch the MLS All-Stars vs. Liga MX All-Stars at 8pm ET on Apple TV: https://t.co/9ojkoIf5TD pic.twitter.com/R0WmikKJT1— Major League Soccer (@MLS) July 29, 2026 On the Liga MX side, the Mexican league has put together a 24-player roster under coach Antonio Mohamed, the reigning Coach of the Year, featuring five players who took part in the World Cup and a dozen Liga MX champions. MLS All-Star roster Goalkeepers: Maxime Crepeau (Orlando City), Matt Freese (New York City FC), Brian Schwake (Nashville SC). Defenders: Max Arfsten (Columbus Crew), Lucas Herrington (Colorado Rapids), Richie Laryea (Toronto FC), Anthony Markanich (Minnesota United), Mbekezeli Mbokazi (Chicago Fire), Steven Moreira (Columbus Crew), Daniel Munie (San Jose Earthquakes), Andy Najar (Nashville SC), Jackson Ragen (Seattle Sounders), Tim Ream (Charlotte FC). Midfielders: Pep Biel (Charlotte FC), Yannick Bright (Inter Miami), Andres Cubas (Vancouver Whitecaps), Evander (FC Cincinnati), Carles Gil (New England Revolution), Zavier Gozo (Real Salt Lake), Hany Mukhtar (Nashville SC), Thomas Muller (Vancouver Whitecaps), Ashley Westwood (Charlotte FC). Forwards: Anders Dreyer (San Diego FC), Guilherme (Houston Dynamo), Julian Hall (New York Red Bulls), Son Heung-Min (LAFC), Petar Musa (FC Dallas), Sam Surridge (Nashville SC), Philip Zinckernagel (Chicago Fire). Coach: Dean Smith (Charlotte FC). Liga MX All-Star roster Goalkeepers: Carlos Acevedo (Santos Laguna), Carlos Moreno (Pachuca). Defenders: Bruno Mendez (Toluca), Federico Pereira (Toluca), Jesus Gallardo (Toluca), Erik Lira (Cruz Azul), Omar Campos (Cruz Azul), Willer Ditta (Cruz Azul), Israel Reyes (America), Jesus Garza (Tigres), Luis Rey (Guadalajara), Nathan Silva (Pumas). Midfielders: Alexei Dominguez (Pachuca), Elias Montiel (Pachuca), Carlos Rodriguez (Cruz Azul), Jose Paradela (Cruz Azul), Fernando Gorriaran (Tigres), Juan Brunetta (Tigres), Franco Romero (Toluca), Iker Fimbres (Monterrey), Kevin Castaneda (Guadalajara). Forwards: Javier Ruiz (Necaxa), Robert Morales (Pumas), Salomon Rondon (Pachuca). Coach: Antonio Mohamed (Toluca).
Lionel Messi will not be present for the MLS All-Star Game, missing the event for the second consecutive year. Lionel Messi will once again be absent from the MLS All-Star Game, set to take place on Wednesday, July 29, against Liga MX at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte. It marks another notable absence for the tournament’s biggest draw, as the Inter Miami captain remains the most influential player across both Concacaf leagues. Unlike last year, though, this absence was known well in advance. Messi is currently on an authorized vacation period, granted by his club after Argentina’s run to the 2026 World Cup final. Rodrigo De Paul, his Inter Miami teammate and fellow World Cup finalist, was left off the event for the same reason. Messi’s absence from the 2026 edition won’t result in any sanction, since the league was informed of his unavailability well ahead of time and he was never included on the official MLS roster in the first place. MLS Announces Additions to Roster for the 2026 @MLS All-Star Game presented by Chimehttps://t.co/o4H3NhF44U— MLS Communications (@MLS_PR) July 25, 2026 Was Messi sanctioned at the 2025 edition? This isn’t the first time Messi has skipped the exhibition. He also sat out the 2025 edition, but under very different circumstances: back then, he had been named to the squad and pulled out at the last minute, citing muscle overload. Because that decision wasn’t backed by a confirmed injury from MLS medical staff, and was instead a precaution taken jointly by the player and then-manager Javier Mascherano’s coaching staff, the league handed Messi a one-match suspension. MLS roster for the 2026 All-Star Game Goalkeepers: Maxime Crepeau (Orlando City), Matt Freese (New York City FC), Brian Schwake (Nashville SC). Defenders: Max Arfsten (Columbus Crew), Lucas Herrington (Colorado Rapids), Richie Laryea (Toronto FC), Anthony Markanich (Minnesota United), Mbekezeli Mbokazi (Chicago Fire), Steven Moreira (Columbus Crew), Daniel Munie (San Jose Earthquakes), Andy Najar (Nashville SC), Jackson Ragen (Seattle Sounders), Tim Ream (Charlotte FC). Midfielders: Pep Biel (Charlotte FC), Yannick Bright (Inter Miami), Andres Cubas (Vancouver Whitecaps), Evander (FC Cincinnati), Carles Gil (New England Revolution), Zavier Gozo (Real Salt Lake), Hany Mukhtar (Nashville SC), Thomas Muller (Vancouver Whitecaps), Ashley Westwood (Charlotte FC). Forwards: Anders Dreyer (San Diego FC), Guilherme (Houston Dynamo), Julian Hall (New York Red Bulls), Son Heung-Min (LAFC), Petar Musa (FC Dallas), Sam Surridge (Nashville SC), Philip Zinckernagel (Chicago Fire).
Portuguese giants Benfica begin their Europa League qualifying journey on Thursday, traveling to Switzerland to face St Gallen at the Sitterstadion. Despite the World Cup only just finishing, European clubs are already back in competitive action, and this tie marks the first leg of the second qualifying round. Verdict: Away win Best odds: 2/5 Bookmaker: […] The post Prediction: St. Gallen vs Benfica appeared first on SoccerNews.
Dive in to find out why one of the Three Lions' most dangerous attackers is starting from the sidelines. Anthony Gordon is officially benched for England’s World Cup third-place playoff clash against France. While Harry Kane gears up to spearhead the frontline and finish the tournament strong, the explosive forward’s omission has completely hijacked the pre-match headlines. Dive in to find out why one of the Three Lions’ most dangerous attackers is starting from the sidelines. England enters the bronze-medal match after suffering a heartbreaking 2-1 semifinal defeat to Argentina, while France arrives following a 2-0 loss to Spain. Although neither national team reached the final they had hoped for, both still have the opportunity to conclude their World Cup campaign with a victory. The third-place playoff is often described as the match nobody wants to play, but both teams still have pride to defend after falling just one step short of the World Cup final. The Three Lions looked destined for their first World Cup final in six decades after Anthony Gordon fired the team ahead against Argentina. However, late strikes from Enzo Fernandez and Lautaro Martinez completed a dramatic comeback that ended the Three Lions’ dream. France vs England StatisticsH2H RecordTotal Matches Played32England Wins17France Wins10Draws5England Goals66France Goals41 France, meanwhile, struggled to impose itself against Spain and suffered a 2-0 defeat, bringing an end to another impressive tournament run. Didier Deschamps’ side now has one final opportunity to leave North America with a positive result. Why Anthony Gordon is not starting The mystery surrounding Gordon’s absence has now been answered following the release of the official starting lineups. The Barcelona star has been left out of England’s starting XI because of Thomas Tuchel’s tactical selection rather than injury. The England manager opted to start Marcus Rashford on the left side of the attack, while Morgan Rogers, Eberechi Eze, and Bukayo Saka behind Ivan Toney. Marcus Rashford #11 of England reacts after the scoreless draw. Throughout the tournament, Tuchel has frequently rotated his attacking options depending on the opponent. Gordon has earned increased responsibility thanks to his energy, defensive work, and attacking contributions during England’s World Cup campaign, making him the preferred option for this encounter. No reports were suggesting Gordon is carrying an injury, meaning the forward is available among the substitutes and could still influence the match from the bench if called upon later. Tuchel sticks with the players who carried England deep into the tournament England’s coaching staff has consistently emphasized balance throughout the World Cup, and Tuchel has continued that approach for the final match. Harry Kane #9 of England celebrates with teammates Declan Rice #4 and Anthony Gordon #18. Several reports leading up to kickoff had already suggested Rashford was competing directly with Gordon for the left-wing position. His performances, combined with his defensive intensity and ability to stretch opposing defenses, ultimately convinced Tuchel to keep him in the starting lineup. The England manager also had to manage injuries elsewhere in the squad, with Jordan Henderson unavailable because of a broken arm, while other players carried fitness concerns after an exhausting knockout stage.
Tap a headline to view metadata and excerpt fields in Sportra, then use the article website button to continue on the original publisher page.
