HCU Huskies f all to SFA 50-3 on Homecoming Weekend

Story and photo by Robert H Kelly

Copyright 2025 All Rights Reserved

HOUSTON, TEXAS (November 8, 2025) The HCU Huskies entered their 2025 Homecoming Weekend with plenty of hope, but it turned into a rough afternoon. On Saturday, the Huskies fell 50-3 at home to the Stephen F. Austin Lumberjacks, ranked No. 17 in the country.

From the first moments, things went wrong. The Lumberjacks forced a punt on Houston Christian’s opening drive and returned it 74 yards for a touchdown. They then converted a two-point try to take an 8-0 lead. They added another score later in the first quarter when quarterback Gavin Rutherford found Isaiah Davis on a 14-yard touchdown pass, giving SFA a 15-0 edge heading into the second quarter.

The Huskies got on the board early in the second when freshman kicker Ryan Zuckert drilled a 45-yard field goal, cutting the lead to 15-3.  But the momentum didn’t last. The Lumberjacks answered quickly with a 17-yard pass to Kylon Harris, and just before halftime, they punched in a short goal-line run to take a 29-3 lead into the break.

In the second half, Houston Christian continued to struggle. Their offense gained just 134 total yards for the entire game.  Starting quarterback Reilly Garcia completed 12 of 19 passes for 132 yards in his first start of the season.  On the ground, the Huskies were held to just 2 rushing yards.  On defense, linebacker Trent Zappe led the team with 10 tackles and Rodney Dansby had nine.

For HCU, the result drops their record to 2-8 overall and 1-5 in the Southland Conference. They’ll need to regroup quickly, as next Saturday they travel to face East Texas A&M Lumberjacks in Commerce with a 4 p.m. kickoff.

La Porte Bulldogs roll past Pasadena Eagles, 63-14

Photo and story by Robert H Kelly
Copyright 2025 All Rights Reserved

LA PORTE,TEXAS (November 7, 2025)  On Friday night, the La Porte Bulldogs downed the Pasadena Eagles at home, putting up a dominant score of 63-14.

Right from the start, La Porte came out strong. The Bulldogs had control of the game with big plays on offense and solid teamwork on defense. Pasadena, struggling this season, just couldn’t keep pace. La Porte’s record now improves to 9-1 on the year.

One of La Porte’s stars, Joshua Wells, threw for 138 yards and four touchdowns, a career high. Receiver Peyton Smith added 115 yards and two scores. The Bulldogs made the most of their chances and did not let Pasadena back in. The Eagles finish their season at 1-9. 

The Bulldogs will find out their opponent in the first round of the playoffs this weekend.

Fleet Week Houston postponed until 2026

Photo courtesy of istockphoto.com

By Chris Price
Copyright 2025 All Rights Reserved

HOUSTON, TEXAS (October 26, 2025) The much-anticipated first-ever Fleet Week Houston has been postponed and will now take place in 2026 instead of this year.

The event was originally scheduled for November 5-12, 2025 and was meant to celebrate the U.S. Navy, the U.S. Marine Corps, and the U.S. Coast Guard with ship tours, community events, and more.

Officials said the decision comes as a result of the ongoing federal government shutdown, which created “significant challenges” for making everything happen as planned.

John Whitmire, the Mayor of Houston, said the rescheduling is disappointing but gives the city and its partners more time to plan a high-quality experience.

No new dates have been announced yet. Organizers with the steering committee, the Port of Houston Authority, and military representatives said they are working together to pick the new timeline and will share it once confirmed.

HCU Huskies fall to Southeastern Louisiana Lions, 38-14

Story and photo by Robert H Kelly
Copyright 2025 All Rights Reserved

HOUSTON, TEXAS (October 25, 2025) The HCU Huskies fell to the Southeastern Louisiana Lions 38-14 Saturday at Husky Stadium.

The Huskies held on early, staying close until midway through the third quarter. At halftime, they trailed 14-7 after trading big plays with the Lions.

Early in the game, Southeastern Louisiana scored first on a one-yard run to go up 7-0.Then Houston Christian responded. A big 73-yard run by Darryle Evans set up a one-yard touchdown run by Xai'Shaun Edwards and tied the game at 7-7.

With two seconds left in the first half, the Lions took the lead on a run from the one-yard line and went into the break ahead 14-7.

The third quarter proved costly for the Huskies. The Lions opened the half with an 85-yard kickoff return for a touchdown, making it 21-7 almost instantly. Houston Christian answered when Jaden King intercepted a pass and returned it 50 yards for a touchdown, pulling the Huskies to 21-14.But the Lions kept pouring it on. They kicked a short field goal then scored two more touchdowns in the fourth quarter, closing out the 38-14 victory.

For HCU, Evans finished with 90 yards on six carries, and Edwards ran for 44 yards on 13 carries. On defense, Jayven Anderson had nine tackles, while Zayteak McGhee and King each had interceptions.

The Huskies were held to just 199 total yards and eight first downs, while Southeastern Louisiana piled up 378 yards and 19 first downs. Time of possession was also heavily in the Lions’ favor.

With the loss, Houston Christian falls to 2-6 overall and 1-3 in Southland Conference play. They will head to face the Nicholls Colonels next week and look to bounce back.

North Shore overwhelms Atascocita

Story and photo by Robert H Kelly
Copyright 2025 All Rights Reserved

HOUSTON, TEXAS (October 24, 2025) Friday night, on their home field, the North Shore Mustangs rolled past the Atascocita Eagles with a 47-28 win. 

North Shore came out strong and never looked back. After Atascocita struck first with a 45-yard touchdown run by Cardae Mack, Atascocita led 7-0. But North Shore answered fast with a 61-yard touchdown pass from Kaleb Maryland to Jaylen Bocard, tying the game at 7.

In the second quarter, North Shore’s offense and defense really took over. They added three more touchdowns and Atascocita struggled to keep up. At halftime, the score was 27-7 in favor of North Shore

In the third quarter, Atascocita tried to claw back. Mack again connected, this time a 66- and 79-yard pass for touchdowns,  to pull Atascocita closer. But North Shore answered with a big 75-yard pass from Maryland to Bocard and kept its lead.

In the fourth quarter, North Shore sealed the deal with a rushing touchdown by Kaden Brandley to go up 47-21. Atascocita added one last score to make it 47-28, but it was too late.

North Shore improves to 7-1 on the season and remains perfect at home, while Atascocita falls to 4-4. 

HCU Huskies fall to McNeese State Cowboys, 27-0

Photo by Darla S Tamulitis, La Vita Loca Photography
Copyright 2025 All Rights Reserved

By Robert H Kelly
Copyright 2025 All Rights Reserved

LAKE CHARLES, LOUISIANA (October 18, 2025) The Houston Christian University Huskies (HCU) football team faced a tough night on Saturday, as they were shut out 27-0 by the McNeese Cowboys in Lake Charles.

Right from the start, the Huskies showed promise on their opening drive. They moved the ball 44 yards, highlighted by a 16-yard rush from freshman Xai’Shaun Edwards (shown left). However, the drive stalled when a penalty pushed them into a tough third-and-14 situation, and they couldn’t convert. That drive ended HCU’s best chance to score. 

Meanwhile, McNeese took advantage of the momentum. They answered on their first possession with an 80-yard drive, capped by a 7-yard touchdown run from quarterback Jake Strong. Soon the Cowboys were in control of the game. McNeese added a 47-yard field goal just before halftime to make it 10-0 at the break.

In the second half, McNeese kept pressuring. Strong scored again in the third quarter on runs of 7 and then 34 yards to push the lead to 24-0. The Cowboys sealed the win with a field goal in the fourth quarter, making it 27-0.

Despite the loss, HCU had some individual bright spots. Edwards finished with 130 rushing yards on 18 carries, a solid performance on his part.

Receiver Deuce McMillan also reached a personal milestone, catching his 100th career pass for the Huskies. On defense, senior linebacker Rodney Dansby surpassed 400 career tackles, another notable achievement despite the team’s struggles.

But the game as a whole didn’t go HCU’s way. McNeese’s defense held them to 279 total yards, while the Cowboys gained 403. McNeese controlled time of possession and made big plays when it mattered.

Looking ahead, the Huskies will hope to regroup quickly. They will take on Southeastern Louisiana Lions at home next Saturday with a chance to bounce back in conference play.

La Porte Bulldogs roll over Porter Spartans 67-21

Story and photo by Robert H Kelly
Copyright 2025 All Rights Reserved

LA PORTE, TEXAS (October 17, 2025) The La Porte Bulldogs dominated on Friday, on "First Responders Night," cruising to a 67-21 win over the Porter Spartans in a game that was essentially decided by halftime.

From the opening kick-off, La Porte showed they meant business. They built a hefty lead of 33-7 by halftime and never let up. Offensively and defensively, the Bulldogs kept the pressure on and made plays when it mattered.

Junior running back Sean Simon was a standout performer. He rushed for 227 yards and scored one touchdown, averaging 11.9 yards per carry.  His big runs turned into big momentum for La Porte and made the Spartans’ defense scramble. On the receiving end, sophomore wide receiver Payton Smith hauled in 110 yards and found the end zone twice.

This win puts La Porte at 6-1 on the season, riding a four-game winning streak. The Bulldogs are putting together a really impressive stretch, averaging 57.3 points across those wins.

Meanwhile, Porter falls to 4-3, and this result highlights some of the uphill battles they’ll face the rest of the season. The Spartans will need to regroup quickly if they want to bounce back.

Looking ahead, La Porte will face off against the Crosby Cougars at 7:00 p.m. this coming Friday. Porter is set to host the Friendswood Mustangs at the same time.

In short; La Porte’s balanced attack, a strong ground game, sharp passing plays, and solid defense, overwhelmed Porter. The Bulldogs are clearly clicking right now, and if they keep this up, they’ll be a tough team to beat. Porter has some work ahead if they want to close the gap.

Pasadena holds home-court edge over Crosby in Tuesday matchup

Story and photo by Chris Price
Copyright 2025 All Rights Reserved

PASADENA, TEXAS (October 14, 2025) Tonight at 6:30 p.m., the Pasadena Eagles will host the Crosby Cougars in an important District 18-5A volleyball match. Pasadena comes in with a strong 20–9 record, while Crosby sits at 12–21.

Pasadena has been dominant at home, going 8–4 on their court, and their district play is rocking at 6–2.  Crosby, meanwhile, is 4–5 in district matches and 3–6 in away games.

In their last meeting on September 19, Pasadena defeated Crosby in straight sets: 25-23, 25-19, 25-20. That win gives Pasadena some confidence tonight. But Crosby isn’t a team to count out; they will try to show big improvement.

When you look at the stats, it’s close but leans Pasadena. For kills, Crosby has 838 and Pasadena 871. On serving aces, Crosby has 169, while Pasadena has 197, Pasadena holds a slight edge  In digs, Crosby has 1,659, just ahead of Pasadena’s 1,619

Pasadena will want to use their home crowd and solid serving to pressure Crosby. Crosby must be sharp with passing and staying consistent in rallies if they have hope.

The fans should get a competitive match. I expect Pasadena to pull ahead, but Crosby might make them sweat late.

Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC secures playoff berth with win over Indy Eleven

Goalkeeper Erik Dick with one of his three saves
for the Riverhounds.
Photo by Darla Tamulitus, La Vita Loca Photography
Copyright 2025 All Rights Reserved

By Robert H Kelly
Copyright 2025 All Rights Reserved

PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA (October 11, 2025) Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC locked up a

spot in the postseason for the eighth straight year with a hard-fought 2–1 win over Indy Eleven at Highmark Stadium on Saturday night. 

The win snapped a rough stretch for Pittsburgh against Indy, ending a five-match winless run in that matchup. The crowd of 5,618 cheered as Danny Griffin and Sean Suber scored for Pittsburgh, while James Musa netted a goal for Indy in the 88th minute. 

Griffin opened the scoring in the 38th minute. The play began with a long cross from Robbie Mertz. The ball dropped past Indy’s defense to Augi Williams, who sent a pass across the goal. Griffin slid in and turned it home for his sixth goal this season, a new career high. 

In the second half, Indy’s keeper Hunter Sulte made several big saves, keeping Indy in the match. The Hounds pushed on, and in the 76th minute, Sean Suber rose at the near post to head in a corner by Bradley Sample, giving Pittsburgh a 2–0 lead. 

Indy struck late in the 88th minute. After defending a long throw-in, Pittsburgh’s defenders cleared the ball to Jack Blake, whose volley glanced off a defender and landed at Musa’s feet. Musa scored from close range to make it 2–1.

Pittsburgh weathered five minutes of stoppage time to seal the win and send fans home happy. The victory extended their playoff streak, making it now the longest among Pittsburgh’s pro teams and second longest in the USL Championship. 

Up next, the Riverhounds have two matches left. They are aiming to move into the top four in the Eastern Conference so they can host playoff games on home turf.

Their next test is a long trip to face Monterey Bay FC on October 18 in California.

Duquesne overwhelms Saint Francis 52-7 in NEC football

Joey Isabella (5) eludes Colin Douglas in route to 
one of the Dukes' touchdowns.
Photo by Darla S Tamulitis, La Vita Loca Photography
Copyright 2025 All Rights Reserved

By Robert H Kelly

Copyright 2025 All Rights Reserved

PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA (October 11, 2025) On homecoming weekend, at Rooney Field, the Duquesne Dukes turned up the heat and crushed the Saint Francis Red Flash, 52-7, on Saturday. 

From the very first kickoff, it was clear the Dukes meant business. Joel Kpassou raced 94 yards on the opening kickoff for a touchdown; the first opening score of that kind for Duquesne since 2014. That set the tone for a fast start.

In the first quarter alone, Duquesne piled up 28 points, tying their highest first-quarter mark as an FCS team. Quarterback Tyler Riddell was sharp, throwing four touchdown passes to four different receivers; Joey Isabella, Ryan Petras, Jermaine Johnson, and B.J. Alexander. 

In the third quarter, backup Logan Kushner also got in on the fun, connecting with Alexander. The feat was Gochis' for his first career touchdown pass.

On defense, the Dukes were relentless. They forced two turnovers, holding Saint Francis to only 165 total yards; limiting their opponents to just 45 rushing yards. Tyson Meiguez returned a fumble, forced by DJ Cerisier, 40 yards for a touchdown. TJ Jones added an interception in the second quarter, further stifling any chance of a Red Flash rally. 

By halftime, Duquesne led 45-0, marking their largest halftime advantage since joining FCS in 1993. The offense and defense both delivered dominant performances. Duquesne outgained Saint Francis 323 to 165 yards and kept the game firmly in control.

With the win, Duquesne’s record improves to 4-2 overall and 2-0 in NEC play. They have now won six of the last seven seasons after starting 2-0 in conference play. The Dukes also extended their all-time series lead over Saint Francis to 41–10, including 24-3 at home. 

Looking ahead, the Dukes hit the road for a tough stretch. They will travel to Mercyhurst next Saturday with a 6 p.m. kickoff.

Photos from the game, by Darla Tamulitis, La Vita Loca Photography, can be viewed here.

C.E. King tops Summer Creek 42-28

Story and photo by Robert H Kelly
Copyright 2025 All Rights Reserved

HOUSTON, TEXAS (October 9, 2025)  The C.E. King Panthers broke their losing streak against Summer Creek in a big way Thursday night, earning a 42-28 win over the Bulldogs. The victory marked King’s fourth straight win and improved their record to 5-1 on the season.

King jumped out early and kept the pressure on, building a 42-21 lead by the end of the third quarter. Summer Creek tried to rally in the 4th quarter, but couldn’t close the gap.

Running back Dionne Sims led the Panthers’ offense with a huge performance on the ground, rushing for 168 yards and a touchdown while averaging nearly nine yards per carry. Quarterback Timothy Potts also had a strong night, completing more than 80 percent of his passes for 160 yards and two touchdowns.

For Summer Creek, it was their first loss of the season after opening 5-0. Quarterback Noah Spinks threw for 386 yards and two touchdowns, while wide receiver Benny Easter Jr. caught 17 passes for 176 yards and one touchdown. Braylin Causey also added two TDs for the Bulldogs.

The win keeps King rolling, as the Panthers have averaged an impressive 60 points per game during their four-game streak. They will look to keep that momentum going when they face Humble at home on October 17.

Summer Creek will try to bounce back when they host Goose Creek Memorial the next day. 

Dynamo fall 4-2 to San Diego FC in home finale

Photo by Darla S Tamulitis, La Vita Loca Photography, Copyright 2025 All Rights Reserved

By Robert H Kelly
Copyright 2025 All Rights Reserved

HOUSTON, TEXAS (October 4, 2025)  Houston Dynamo FC dropped their final home match of the regular season on Saturday night, falling 4-2 to San Diego FC at Shell Energy Stadium. Defender Felipe Andrade and forward Sergio Santos scored for the Dynamo, with Santos netting his first goal for the club.

Houston grabbed the early lead in the 15th minute when Andrade found the back of the net for his fourth goal of the season. Midfielder Júnior Urso set up the play, redirecting a low cross from Ondřej Lingr into the box, where Andrade finished from close range. The assist was Urso’s first of the year.

Goalkeeper Jonathan Bond made several key saves in the first half, including a low stop on Hirving Lozano in the 11th minute and another diving save in the 28th to keep Houston ahead. Forward Ezequiel Ponce nearly doubled the lead in the 21st minute with a shot from distance that forced a save from San Diego’s CJ Dos Santos.

San Diego tied the match in the 53rd minute when Anders Dreyer converted a penalty following a VAR review. The visitors took the lead late in the match, with Luca De La Torre scoring in the 85th minute.

Houston responded quickly in the 87th minute when Santos capitalized on a San Diego mistake, collecting a loose ball near the top of the box and striking inside the far post for his first Dynamo goal.

However, San Diego finished strong, scoring twice more in the final minutes through Dreyer and Amahl Pellegrino to seal the 4-2 result.

The Dynamo close out the regular season on Saturday, Oct. 18, when they visit Sporting Kansas City at Children’s Mercy Park. Kickoff is set for 8:00 p.m. CT.

GCU Huskies fall to UTRGV in Southland opener, 27-7

Photo courtesy HCU Athletic Media Relations

By Chris Price
Copyright 2025 All Rights Reserved

EDINBURG, TEXAS (October 4, 2025) The HCU Huskies football team dropped its Southland Conference opener on Saturday night, falling 27-7 to UTRGV at Vackar Stadium. Despite the loss, running back Xai’Shaun Edwards (shown left) and wide receiver Deuce McMillan, both reached major milestones.

Edwards rushed for 101 yards and a touchdown, marking his second 100-yard game of the season. McMillan finished with four catches for 40 yards, surpassing 1,000 career receiving yards.

Both teams started slow on offense before UTRGV struck first late in the first quarter. The Huskies answered midway through the second quarter with a 17-play, 75-yard drive capped off by a one-yard touchdown run from Edwards to tie the game at 7-7.

HCU’s defense came up big in the first half with two interceptions—one from DJ Roberts and another from Norey Johnson—to keep the score even heading into halftime.

The Vaqueros regained momentum after the break, scoring on their opening drive of the second half to take a 14-7 lead. UTRGV extended the margin with a field goal early in the fourth quarter and sealed the game with another touchdown and field goal late.

On defense, Darius Bean and Rodney Dansby led HCU with seven tackles each. Bean added a sack, while Dansby continued his climb up the program’s all-time tackles list—he now has 392, just 23 shy of second place. Trent Zappe recorded six tackles, and Mike Sylvalie earned his first career sack.

Edwards now has six rushing touchdowns this season, the second-most in a single season in HCU history, just one behind the program record.

The Huskies (1-4, 0-1 SLC) return home next Saturday, Oct. 11, for Family Weekend at Husky Stadium. Kickoff against Northwestern State is set for 7 p.m.

Houston Dash draw 1-1 with Orlando Pride behind Berkely’s first goal of season

Photo by Jennifer Edwards
Copyright 2025 All Rights Reserved

By Chris Price
Copyright 2025 All Rights Reserved

HOUSTON, TEXAS (October 3, 2025) The Houston Dash earned a 1-1 draw against the Orlando Pride on Friday night at Shell Energy Stadium. Defender Malia Berkely scored her first goal of the season to give Houston the lead in the second half.

The Dash went ahead in the 62nd minute after Michelle Alozie was fouled near the box, setting up a free kick. Avery Patterson sent the ball into the area, and Berkely finished from close range to put Houston in front. With her goal, Berkely became the 13th Dash player to score this season, setting a new club record for most individual goal scorers in one year.

Orlando tied the match in the 84th minute when Simone Charley scored on a header from a cross by Hayle McCutcheon.

Goalkeeper Abby Smith had a strong night for Houston, making five saves, including key stops early and late in the match.

Defender Allysha Chapman also reached a major milestone, playing her 10,000th minute in league play after coming on in the second half.

The Dash now head to Los Angeles to face Angel City FC on Sunday, Oct. 12, before returning home Oct. 18 to host the Kansas City Current for Fan Appreciation Night.

North Shore crushes Kingwood 71–7 in big district win

Photo by Darla S Tamulitis, La Vita Loca Photography
Copyright 2025 All Rights Reserved

Story and photo by Robert H Kelly

Copyright 2025 All Rights Reserved

HOUSTON, TEXAS (October 3, 2025) On Friday night, North Shore hosted Kingwood and dealt a heavy blow: the Mustangs won 71–7 in what turned into a lopsided district contest. 

North Shore started fast. In the first quarter, they scored two long passing touchdowns, including a 61-yard strike to Jaylen Bocard (No. 5 shown above right), to take an early lead. They added another touchdown and extra point before the period ended. 

In the second quarter, North Shore kept piling it on. Aubery Johnson hauled in a 43-yard pass for six points. They also got a pick-6 interception return.  Two-point conversions helped them stretch the lead even more. At halftime, North Shore led 35–0.

After the break, North Shore’s offense did not slow down. In the third quarter, they hit Kingwood with another big passing touchdown, followed by a ground score, plus a successful two-point pass. That gave them a comfortable margin going into the final quarter. 

In the fourth quarter, more points came. One highlight was a special teams play: a snap went over the punter's head, and North Shore turned that into a score. They added a 31-yard rushing touchdown, and capped it with a 35-yard rushing score by Isai Navarro.  Kingwood did avoid a shutout late, when Xzavier Montes ran in a touchdown.

This win brings North Shore’s record to 4–1 overall and 2–0 in district play. Kingwood falls to 3–2 and 1–1 in district with the loss. 

C.E. King downs Atascocita 70-55

Story and photo by Robert H Kelly
Copyright 2025 All Rights Reserved

HOUSTON, TEXAS (September 26, 2025) On Friday night, the C.E. King Panthers downed the Atascocita Eagles in a dazzling shootout, 70-55, at Sheldon ISD Stadium. 

The game was fast, wild, and full of big plays. In the end, King’s offense was just too much for Atascocita to contain. King scored in all four quarters: 14 in the first, 21 in the second, 14 in the third, and 21 in the final quarter. Atascocita answered with points of its own; 14, 14, 13, and 14 across the quarters. 

One star of the night for the Panthers was Dionne Sims, who rushed for 435 yards on 32 carries, with an average of 13.6 yards per carry.  He also scored five rushing touchdowns.  Another key King player, Timothy Potts, completing nine of 13 passes for 92 yards and two touchdowns, while adding 49 yards on the ground. 

Even though King won, Atascocita kept fighting in the final minutes. Their quarterback Cardae Mack threw a 22-yard touchdown pass to Elijah Arriaga, then connected again for a two-point conversion to close the gap, but it wasn’t enough. 

King’s defense also made plays. They recorded five sacks and forced a turnover. In total, King piled up 674 yards of offense, 582 rushing, 92 passing, while Atascocita couldn’t match the pace.

Ponce goal lifts Houston Dynamo FC to crucial win

The Houston Dynamo FC had a 1-0 lead at the half
and it held the remainder of the match to earn the win.
Photo by Darla S Tamulitis, La Vita Loca Photography
Copyright 2025 All Rights Reserved

By Chris Price
Copyright 2025 All Rights Reserved

HOUSTON, TEXAS (September 20, 2025)  Houston Dynamo FC earned one of their biggest victories of the season on Saturday night, defeating the Portland Timbers 1-0 at Shell Energy Stadium. Forward Ezequiel Ponce delivered the decisive moment in front of more than 18,000 fans, scoring his 10th goal of the season just before halftime.

The win came on Noche Latina and carried extra weight for Houston’s postseason hopes. With three games left in the regular season, the Dynamo are now just one place and one point shy of the playoff line, setting up a dramatic finish to the Audi 2025 MLS Cup Playoffs race.

The lone goal came in the 44th minute after midfielder Jack McGlynn swung in a curling corner kick. Ponce rose highest and headed the ball into the net, giving the Argentine forward double-digit goals for the campaign while McGlynn tallied his eighth assist.

Houston threatened early when Lawrence Ennali tested Portland goalkeeper James Pantemis just two minutes into the match, forcing a sharp save. Midfielder Júnior Urso also reached a personal milestone, making his 100th MLS regular season start. Meanwhile, new signing Diadié Samassékou made his league debut in second-half stoppage time.

Goalkeeper Jonathan Bond anchored Houston’s defense with a composed performance, earning his ninth clean sheet of the season. The veteran produced four saves, including a crucial stop in the 19th minute when Portland’s Antony broke into the box, as well as a strong catch on Kristoffer Velde’s free kick in the 59th minute.

The Dynamo created several chances to extend the lead. In the 32nd minute, McGlynn found Ennali in the box, but the forward’s shot rolled just wide. Later, Griffin Dorsey linked with Ponce and McGlynn in the 66th minute to set up a dangerous strike that Pantemis pushed aside with a diving effort. Defender Felipe Andrade nearly doubled the score late, volleying a ball narrowly over the crossbar in the 86th minute.

Still, Ponce’s first-half finish proved enough. The Dynamo’s effort reflected their urgency as they continue to fight for a playoff spot, backed by an energetic home crowd on a special night celebrating Houston’s Latino community.

Houston (9-13-9, 36 points) now turns its attention to a road test against Nashville SC on Saturday, September 27, at GEODIS Park. Kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m. CT.

Ryan goal, Smith saves push Houston Dash closer to playoffs

Photo by Darla S Tamulitis, La Vita Loca Photography
Copyright 2025 All Rights Reserved

By Robert H Kelly
Copyright 2025 All Rights Reserved

HOUSTON, TEXAS (September 19, 2025)  The Houston Dash took another step toward the playoffs Friday night with a 1-0 win over Chicago Stars FC at Shell Energy Stadium in Houston.

Forward Yazmeen Ryan delivered the game’s only goal in the 28th minute. After forcing a Chicago turnover, Ryan sprinted into the box and calmly finished with her right foot into the bottom corner. The goal was her team-leading fourth of the season and her third since early August. She stated after the match:

“It’s always great to get three points, I’m super proud of the team for their defensive work and keeping a clean sheet. Everyone keeps us in games because we know that Chicago (Stars FC) has come back and had opportunities. I’m happy we got to shut them down.” 

Goalkeeper Abby Smith played a huge role in the win, making six saves to record Houston’s fourth shutout of the season. Smith denied several dangerous chances from Chicago, including a close-range shot early in the second half and a diving stop in the 76th minute. The night also highlighted Smith’s off-field impact, as the club recognized her as its nominee for the Lauren Holiday Impact Award for her work with Kids’ Meals Houston.

The match also marked the debut of defender Malia Berkely, who joined the Dash this week in a trade with North Carolina. Defender Anna Heilferty entered in the 80th minute for her first appearance since signing a short-term deal earlier this summer.

Houston created several chances to extend the lead, including a penalty kick in the 86th minute. Ryan stepped up to the spot, but U.S. national team keeper Alyssa Naeher guessed correctly and made the save.

With the victory, Houston improved to 7-9-5 (26 points) and now sits just two points below the playoff line with five games left in the regular season.

The Dash will travel to Washington, D.C. to face the Spirit on September 28 before returning home October 3 to host the Orlando Pride on Space City Night.

Deer Park wins 37-36 in thrilling battle over Barbers Hill

Photo by Robert H Kelly, Copyright 2025 All Rights Reserved

By Chris Price
Copyright 2025 All Rights Reserved

MONT BELVIEU, TEXAS (September 18, 2025)  In a game full of twists and big plays, Deer Park escaped with a 37-36 victory over Barbers Hill on Friday night in Mt. Belvieu. It was a wild matchup that went back and forth until the very end. 

Both teams came out ready to play. Barbers Hill and Deer Park traded blows, with neither side able to pull away early. As the first half ended, the game was still very much up for grabs. s. They made several key plays that helped them take a lead. Barbers Hill kept fighting, though, matching every big moment with their own big plays.

The fourth quarter was intense. Barbers Hill had a chance to win it, but Deer Park made a crucial play late that swung the game in their favor. The final score was 37-36 as the clock ran out. Barbers Hill nearly pulled off the comeback, but they came up just short.