Houston Dynamo will hope to celebrate Tim Howard's investment into the side with victory against San Jose Earthquakes when the pair meet in MLS at PayPal Park.

United States men's national team legend Howard was announced as a minority investor in the Dynamo on Tuesday, with Houston excited by his experience.

"His wealth of experience across soccer, both as a player at the highest levels and subsequently as a sporting director and media analyst, will be invaluable within ownership as we continue to build a competitive and successful organisation," majority owner Ted Segal said.

On the pitch, the Dynamo have followed back-to-back victories with just one point across their last two games.

Houston were beaten 3-2 by Western Conference joint-leaders Real Salt Lake before a 1-1 draw with Minnesota United last time out.

The Dynamo still sit eighth in the West standings, and Howard hopes his investment will be rewarded with victory on the road.

"As someone who has dedicated my life to the sport of soccer, I am thrilled to join the Houston Dash and Dynamo ownership group," said Howard.

"This opportunity allows me to further contribute to the growth of the game in the United States and connect with the passionate soccer fans who call Houston home."

San Jose are struggling at the bottom of the same division coming off the back of a 2-1 defeat against Sporting Kansas City.

Houston managed a 2-1 victory in their meeting earlier this season, though interim coach Ian Russell will hope to transform the Earthquakes' fortunes this time around.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

San Jose Earthquakes – Jeremy Ebobisse

Jeremy Ebobisse has scored five career goals against the Dynamo, all since 2019.

The only player with more goals against Houston in regular-season play in that time is Alan Pulido (six).

Houston Dynamo – Sebastian Ferreira

Sebastian Ferreira has scored a career-best four goals in four regular-season matches against San Jose, including scoring against the Earthquakes in March.

No Dynamo player has scored more goals against a single team since Ferreira joined the club in 2022.

MATCH PREDICTION – HOUSTON DYNAMO WIN

The Dynamo are the narrow favourites for this clash, despite their recent head-to-head record against San Jose.

The Earthquakes have lost only one of their last six home matches against Houston (W3 D2) including recording a 2-1 win in the last meeting at PayPal Park in April 2023.

San Jose have never won consecutive home games against Houston, however, and their recent form is concerning.

The Earthquakes are the third team to lose 18 times in their first 23 games of a season along with the Tampa Bay Mutiny in 2001 and the MetroStars in 1999 (including breakaway shoot-out losses).

Considering the Dynamo have lost just one of their last eight matches, too, Houston should have no problems on the road.

OPTA WIN PROBABILITY

San Jose Earthquakes win – 27.8%

Draw – 24.1%

Houston Dynamo win – 48.1%

Luchi Gonzalez admits his team need to learn the difference between competing and winning as they aim to bounce back against Austin FC on Saturday.

The Earthquakes currently sit bottom of the Western Conference with 10 points, having won just three games this season.

Gonzalez highlighted his team has no trouble competing with their opponents and is optimistic they can turn leads into actual wins soon.

"The result of the last game [against Austin], we didn't get the job done there at the end even though we thought we were about to, but we're competing consistently in any competition," he said.

"We've had the lead in eight out of [14 MLS games]. That does show you that we're ready, we're prepared and we compete. Competing and winning are two different things. We've got to keep working on our ability to make decisions individually, collectively."

At the other end of the table, Austin sit in third with 22 points, just six behind leaders Real Salt Lake after back-to-back wins over Houston Dynamo and Sporting Kansas City.

Head coach Josh Wolff was pleased with his side’s approach in recent weeks but urged them to keep up that level as they head into a busy week.

"We're very spirited, we're very organised and opportunistic," Wolff said.

"We've shown we can score goals, that's not a problem. We have to keep approaching games in a meticulous way, a responsible and disciplined way so that we can win."

PLAYERS TO WATCH

San Jose Earthquakes – Jeremy Ebobisse

Ebobisse has scored five goals in seven career matches against Austin FC. Only Jesus Ferreira (6) has scored more MLS goals against the Verde.

Austin – Sebastian Driussi

Driussi has scored seven goals in seven career games against the Earthquakes. No player has scored more goals against a single opponent than Driussi against San Jose since he joined MLS in 2021.

MATCH PREDICTION: SAN JOSE EARTHQUAKES WIN

Austin recorded their first-ever win over San Jose on April 6 with a 4-3 home victory (D5 L2). There have been at least four goals scored in five of the eight matches between the sides, including a pair of seven-goal games.

San Jose has lost four of their first six home league matches this season (W2) after losing just twice at PayPal Park during the 2023 regular season. The ‘Quakes have conceded at least once in 11 straight regular-season home matches dating back to last year.

Meanwhile, Austin have won six of its last nine regular-season matches (D1 L2), including the last two in a row. Only three teams have collected more points than Austin’s 19 since that run began in late March.

OPTA WIN PROBABILITY

San Jose Earthquakes – 41.2%

Draw – 28.6%

Austin – 30.2%