Soccer matters

The guide to a Houston Dynamo match day

The guide to a Houston Dynamo match day
A Dynamo game can be a fun experience. Victor Araiza

So you want to jump on the Dynamo bandwagon or simply enjoy an affordable game for once? Look no more, a Dynamo match (that’s soccer speak for "game") is your best choice.

But you clearly want to get the most out of the experience. That’s why SportsMap is hooking you up with the complete guide.

How to buy tickets

Tickets to Dynamo matches are available at HoustonDynamo.com, BBVACompassStadium.com, AXS.com, or the BBVA Compass Stadium box office at 2200 Texas Ave.

If you’re looking for a hookup, you can call the Houston Dynamo ticket office at 713-276-7556 and speak with a ticket representative. In most cases, they’ll wave the extra ticket fees that you would normally be charged.

You can also purchase tickets on secondary market online platforms like StubHub, SeatGeek and Flash Seats. Lower profile games will give you a better bang for your buck on tickets during the season.

As far as location inside the stadium, it’s really up to your discretion, as everyone has different tastes. Some fans like to be in the second level to appreciate the tactical patterns while others enjoy being closer to the action on the sideline seats. Aside from your preference, there really isn’t a bad seat in the house in this intimate stadium.

Parking

There are several lots around BBVA Compass Stadium, ranging from $5-$25, depending on proximity to the stadium. The most expensive lots are B and C on the north side of the stadium (the lots adjacent to Minute Maid Park), but they are also the ones that provide the most parking space.

There is also street parking available near the stadium, subject to availability. Street parking is free every day after 6 pm and all day on Sundays.

Eat and drink

Located in EaDo, there are many bars around BBVA Compass Stadium to do some pre and post game drinking.

  • King’s Court, opposite of the southwest gate, is the official home bar of the “El Batallón” supporters group.

  • Lucky’s Pub and Little Woodrow’s are located immediately to the west of the stadium.

  • Neil's Bahr is located a few blocks west from the south end of the stadium on Walker Street.

  • 8th Wonder Brewery is located a few blocks down the south end of the stadium.

  • Huynh Restaurant, located in the shopping center on St. Emanuel between McKinney and Walker, is a good stop for Vietnamese food.

  • Sigma Brewing Company is another local brewery located down the road on Harrisburg Boulevard

What games to go to

The answer to this question depends on what you’re looking for. If you want to go see big names and former European stars, your best bet is to hit up the matches against the big money clubs (New York, LA, Atlanta, Orlando, Seattle and Toronto).

If you just want to enjoy a soccer game, and prefer to get the best value, consider the lower profile teams like Columbus, Colorado, Real Salt Lake and San Jose.

Additionally, if you want a rivalry atmosphere the best case for that is any match against FC Dallas (also known as the Texas Derby). Sporting KC is also another rival of the Dynamo.

What time to be in your seats

Ideally, you would want to be in your seat by kickoff. If you are inside the stadium 30 minutes before kickoff you can witness all the players (starters and bench) warm up.

Autographs and photo opportunities

There are no guaranteed autographs and photo ops, but the best chance of securing one of these is immediately after the match as the players are heading toward the tunnel to the locker rooms. The best way to achieve this is to position yourself near the front rows of sections 137 and 138, on the side of 135, or in The Vault bar inside the tunnel.

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Jake Meyers is the latest Astro to be rushed back from injury too soon. Photo by Tim Warner/Getty Images.

Houston center fielder Jake Meyers was removed from Wednesday night’s game against Cleveland during pregame warmups because of right calf tightness.

Meyers, who had missed the last two games with a right calf injury, jogged onto the field before the game but soon summoned the training staff, who joined him on the field to tend to him. He remained on the field on one knee as manager Joe Espada joined the group. After a couple minutes, Meyers got up and was helped off the field and to the tunnel in right field by a trainer.

Mauricio Dubón moved from shortstop to center field and Zack Short entered the game to replace Dubón at shortstop.

Meyers is batting .308 with three homers and 21 RBIs this season.

After the game, Meyers met with the media and spoke about the injury. Meyers declined to answer when asked if the latest injury feels worse than the one he sustained Sunday. Wow, that is not a good sign.

 

Lack of imaging strikes again!

The Athletic's Chandler Rome reported on Thursday that the Astros didn't do any imaging on Meyers after the initial injury. You can't make this stuff up. This is exactly the kind of thing that has the Astros return-to-play policy under constant scrutiny.

The All-Star break is right around the corner, why take the risk in playing Meyers after missing just two games with calf discomfort? The guy literally fell to the ground running out to his position before the game started. The people that make these risk vs. reward assessments clearly are making some serious mistakes.

The question remains: will the Astros finally do something about it?


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