Houston Dynamo FC settle for late match draw against LA Galaxy

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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 6, 2025)  Houston Dynamo FC looked set for three points on Saturday night, but a late goal from the LA Galaxy forced a 1-1 draw at Shell Energy Stadium. The result leaves Houston just two points shy of the playoff line in the Western Conference.

The Dynamo grabbed the lead in the 35th minute thanks to a bit of class from Ezequiel Ponce (shown above right). Midfielder Ondřej Lingr floated a ball over the top, and the Argentine striker nodded it forward before calmly finishing into the bottom corner. The goal was Ponce’s ninth of the season and his second in back-to-back games.

Houston nearly doubled its advantage before halftime when Lawrence Ennali broke free in the box, but his two efforts were blocked by Galaxy defenders. After the break, Duane Holmes came close with a bending free kick from 30 yards that whistled just wide.

The Galaxy thought they had leveled late in the second half, but an offside flag canceled out Gabriel Pec’s finish. Houston’s defense held strong until stoppage time, when John Nelson met a cross at the far post and headed in the heartbreaking equalizer in the 99th minute.

Houston, now 8-12-9 (33 points), will look to rebound on the road next Saturday, September 13, against the Colorado Rapids.