Convenience Big Store: Dynamo's resurgence started with trade for Artur

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Today's starting lineup

The Dynamo are one win away from reaching the MLS Cup thanks to an overhaul by new coach Ben Olsen and GM Pat Onstad.

It all started with one player: Artur. While captain Héctor Herrera serves as a rudder for the Dynamo — "pulls the strings for us," as Olsen put it — Artur is the more understated yet vital wind in the sails. Danielle Lerner has the story in advance of Saturday's Western Conference final against LAFC.

College football heads into an exciting weekend of conference championships with the four spots in the playoff up for grabs. Enjoy it while you can, Jerome Solomon writes, because when the playoff expands to 12 teams next year, this weekend won't be as important.

It's a vital weekend for UH as the Cougars search for a new coach. Joseph Duarte has the latest: Tulane ready to pay to keep Willie Fritz and Gary Patterson having a conversation but not an interview.

The Rockets lost big in Denver on Wednesday but Jalen Green once again teased with glimpses of what he could be.

Stat of the day: 17. New players signed by the Dynamo before the start of the 2023 season.

Reid Laymance
Sports editor
reid.laymance@houstonchronicle.com

Dynamo / MLS

Houston Dynamo midfielder Artur (6) takes the ball past Real Salt Lake midfielder Diego Luna (26) during the second half of an MLS playoff soccer match on Sunday, Oct. 29, 2023 in Houston. The Dynamo too the first game 2-1, in the best-of-three series.

Photo by: Brett Coomer, Staff Photographer

Houston Dynamo's resurgence started with trade for Artur

Artur is the understated force behind captain Héctor Herrera and team's run to MLS Western Conference Finals.

College Football

SEC dominance was on display at this year's national championship game pitting Georgia and coach Kirby Smart, left, against Alabama and coach Nich Saban. The Bulldogs won 33-18.

Photo by: Brynn Anderson, STF / Associated Press

Solomon: 12-team CFP will diminish meaning of the regular season

Enjoy this high-stakes weekend while you can. When the playoff field expands beyond four schools next year, conference title games won't hold nearly the drama.

Counter measures: Tulane could go up to $4.6 million per year to keep Willie Fritz who is one of top contenders for UH job.
Price tags: A look at the buyouts for Houston's top candidates to replace football coach Dana Holgorsen.
Last detail: Saturday's Big 12 championship game gives the Longhorns a chance to rectify their 0-2 record against the Cowboys under Steve Sarkisian.

Texans / NFL

Houston Texans cornerback Desmond King II (25) poses for a selfie with Texans fans after the Texans 31-3 loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars in an NFL football game Sunday, Jan. 1, 2023, in Houston.

Photo by: Brett Coomer, Staff Photographer

Desmond King II shows Texans he can pull out the stop

Re-signed by Houston a week ago, the cornerback had an immediate impact, denying the Jaguars a touchdown at the end of Sunday's first half.

Honor roll: C.J. Stroud was named the AFC's Offensive Player of the Month and the NFL's Player of the Month for November.
Injury report: Both Jimmie Ward and Tank Dell are expected to return in the Texans' game against the Broncos on Sunday but tight end Dalton Schultz is a question mark.
C.J.'s cause: C.J. Stroud's cleats on Sunday to raise awareness about need for prison reform.

Rockets / NBA

iHouston Rockets guard Jalen Green, left, drives to the rim past Denver Nuggets forwards Zeke Nnaji and Michael Porter Jr. in the second half of an NBA basketball game on Wednesday, Nov. 29, 2023, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

Photo by: David Zalubowski, Associated Press

Jalen Green, even in defeat, shows his potential as playmaker

Jalen Green was not only scoring against the Nuggets but also reading the defense and setting up teammates, again showing his potential to be NBA star.

High School Football

North Shore wide receiver Deion DeBlanc (3) leaps over Cy-Fair cornerback Emmanuel Billings (33) during the second half of a Region III-6A Division 1 semifinal high school football playoff game at NRG Stadium, Friday, Nov. 24, 2023, in Houston.

Photo by: Jason Fochtman, Staff Photographer

Healthy again, Deion DeBlanc is major contributor for North Shore

Since his return from an injury in Week 3, the speedy junior wide receiver has helped lead the Mustangs to the regional final.

Rematch: Westfield has won its last 10 games heading into a regional final rematch against last year's Class 6A Division I champs.
Hightower of power: The versatility, explosiveness and power of senior Dailon Ellis have helped Hightower to its second regional final in three years.
Emotional moment: Summer Creek linebacker Xavier Atkins is playing in the regional final with memories of his brother, who died in October.

College Basketball

Photo by: Michael Conroy/Associated Press

UH gets a Big East test against Xavier

Breaking down the No. 6-ranked University of Houston's men's basketball game against Xavier in the Big East-Big 12 Battle.

Texas 77, Texas State 58: Max Abmas scored a season-best 26 points and No. 16 Texas beat Texas State
Rice 98, Tennessee Martin 78: Led by Travis Evee's 29 points, the Rice Owls defeated the Tennessee Martin Skyhawks.