Houston Dynamo FC will face defending MLS Cup champions LAFC on the road on Saturday, Dec. 2 at 8:30 p.m. CT. "En ellos no cambia nada. O sea, lo conocemos perfectamente. Lo dije meses atrás que para mí era el equipo tal vez más fuerte, más completo, en tema de jugadores, posición por posición." More from him at CW39.com. Video courtesy of Houston Dynamo.
Dynamo MF Héctor Herrera English transcript:
(on facing LAFC) “Nothing really changes, meaning we are very familiar with their squad. I said this a few months ago that for me they were probably the strongest team we’ve faced. They are complete, have really great players and match up really well by position. I still believe that. They have high quality players with a lot of experience, and it is going to be a hard game. I don’t think we need to change our identity based on LAFC. What we have in our locker room has brought us here to a conference final. Obviously, there will be some changes and adjustments in the game based on the situation or how it plays out, but we need to be who we are regardless of if we’re at Shell Energy Stadium or in Los Angeles.”
(on midfield teammate Artur) “I believe that Artur is a big part of my success and what I’ve been able to accomplish this year, and I’ve told him that. We have a great relationship, strong communication both on and off the field and he gives me the freedom to play because of how he plays his game. I’ve told him that he is the foundation of the team, a lung of sorts because he levels us out. I believe that he is underrated and should be praised a little more by everybody, including the league. He is, in my opinion, one of the top five center midfielders in MLS. I’m not saying that just because he’s my friend, but because I believe he is and know how important he is to us.”
(on winning in Houston) “With the other teams I’ve been on, we were always one of the top contenders and there has always been this expectation to win. It's been different here in Houston. At the beginning of the year, we were serious candidates to be near the bottom of the league. No one ever expected us to even make the playoffs. We knew we had a big challenge ahead of us and that it was going to be hard. The entire team, staff and organization knew that and took on the challenge. I believe we have done a great job, collectively, of getting us to this point. Personally, I feel that the responsibility to win and how it feels to win here feels sweeter compared to in the past with other teams. I don’t think I’ve ever enjoyed winning a title like I did winning one here earlier this year with the Open Cup. Maybe it's my role on the team or how hard it was but it was an incredible feeling.”
