Written by Foxtrot Staff

Photos by Arun Bangura (@driftordiephotography)

Juan Pereira (@JpHouSports) 

This game started off differently compared to other Houston Dynamo home matches. LA Galaxy were about to control possession for large swathes of time, meaning that Houston had to settle in their 4-4-2 shape for a while. However, both sides ended the first half with the same amount of shots. 

Ezequiel Ponce scored just before halftime to give the home side the lead. The Argentinian striker is starting to improve his form, and his current goal pace would put him at 15+ in a full 34 game season. 

The second half started off with LA Galaxy scoring a goal within the opening minutes, but it was disallowed due to a foul earlier in the play. After that point, it was Houston who dominated with a total of eight corners compared to LA’s three before the 80th minute. 

But in the beginning of extra time, it was LA who found an equalizer, and for many fans, it seemed like that would be the last attacking action of the match. But in the 101st minute, Daniel Steres headed home a desperate cross from Dorsey to gift the Dynamo all three points. 

This match and regular season couldn’t have ended in a better manner for the Dynamo. Now, Ben Olsen’s side will face a difficult Seattle Sounders team in the first round. Bring on the playoffs! 

German Benitez (@ElDinamico_GB) 

In a sold out Shell Energy Stadium the Houston Dynamo hosted the #1 seed in the Western Conference, the LA Galaxy, in a dress rehearsal prior to the start of the 2024 MLS Playoffs. 

Hector Herrera made his return from injury seeing 45 minutes of action. Looked well on the ball. The man that came in for Hector, Brooklyn Raines, looked ready to seize his moment. Brooklyn made his presence felt when he made a goal line clearance & preserved the Dynamo’s clean sheet. Impressive performance for the 19 year old midfielder. 

If the Dynamo are to be successful in the playoffs, they must take advantage of their set pieces & they did just that tonight. Ponce was able to find the back of the net on a Hector Herrera cross to score. 

This performance is encouraging for the Dynamo as they head into the MLS Playoffs with newly gained momentum. “La Maquina Naranja” is ready to #Grind2Shine & is marching on full speed ahead into the 2024 MLS Playoffs! 

Eric Simpson (@Old_Soccer_Guy)

A decision day to keep you on the edge of your seat. All kinds of drama. Ricky Puig is such a dangerous attacker while running circles around our midfielders, but it was our defense that found that extra grit brought in by the sold out crowd. 

Of course, Galaxy were awarded a PK for their lone goal. Shout out to Brooklyn Raines for his performance coming in for the Captain HH. This win was key for me. Winning against that team and showing the league you can play at home. Bring on Seattle. 

Andres Naranjo (@DynamicFoxtrot) 

Houston Dynamo put a bow on a historic regular season with a late, late, late 2-1 win over the LA Galaxy that had all the emotions in front of a sellout crowd at Shell Energy Stadium. The Dynamo understood that the Galaxy were looking for a result in Houston and that they were going to give it their all to get there. 

Houston managed to stay on top of almost all their incoming threats even though they were able to get a few opportunities from the flanks all game long. The most important aspect for Houston to get that win was to not quit, and they were able to persevere thanks to Ezequiel Ponce’s constant pressure plus how they regrouped for a surprise goal at the death from Daniel Steres. 

The club set their all-time points record in MLS with 54 points earned in 2024, Ben Olsen claimed his 29th win in the last two seasons (passing Dom Kinnear’s 28 wins in his first two seasons in charge), all that on top of recently surpassing their away wins record with eight victories this year. The Dynamo ride on great momentum heading to the MLS Cup Playoffs.