Houston Dash Play to 1-1 Draw with Portland Thorns FC in CVI Finale

Photo courtesy of Houston Dash/Houston Dynamo FC 

By Chris Price
Copyright 2026 All Rights Reserved

INDIO, CALIFORINA  (February 21, 2026) The Houston Dash closed out the Coachella Valley Invitational on Saturday with a 1-1 draw against Portland Thorns FC. Houston showed strong effort on both ends of the field in its final preseason match of the tournament.

The Dash broke through early in the second half. In the 65th minute, defender Leah Klenke sent a cross into the box. Midfielder Linda Ullmark met the ball with a header. The ball deflected off a Portland defender and into the net for an own goal, giving Houston a 1-0 lead.

Portland answered quickly. Just one minute later, forward Deyna Castellanos scored from near midfield to tie the match at 1-1.

Houston had several chances before and after the goals. In the 37th minute, forward Makenzy Robbe fired a shot toward the middle of the net, but the goalkeeper made the save. Moments later, Klenke delivered a long pass to forward Yazmeen Ryan, whose shot sailed just over the crossbar.

The Dash continued to push in the second half. In the 55th minute, Kate Faasse connected with Robbe inside the box, but her shot was stopped at the near post. Houston nearly grabbed the lead late in the 80th minute when Allysha Chapman crossed the ball to Kat Rader, but Rader’s header went just wide.

Goalkeeper Caroline DeLisle made a key save in the 85th minute to keep the match level.

Dash head coach Fabrice Gautrat  was quoted after the match:

 "Overall, a really good performance, players ramping up their minutes. There were some good performances from our young and veteran players. We're still working out some kinks, but overall, really pleased." 

 

Houston will next travel to face Dallas Trinity FC at Cotton Bowl Stadium on Feb. 28. The Dash open the regular season on March 14 against San Diego Wave FC before hosting Boston Legacy FC on March 21 at Shell Energy Stadium.

Ben Olsen: Houston Dynamo FC vs. Chicago Fire FC Post match press conference. February 21, 2026

Video by Robert H Kelly. TexSport Publications

Copyright 2026 All Rights Reserved

 

Houston Dynamo FC opens season with 2-1 win over Chicago Fire FC

By Robert H Kelly
Copyright 2026 All Rights Reserved

HOUSTON, TEXAS (February 21, 2026) Houston Dynamo FC kicked off the 2026 MLS season in style on Saturday night, earning a 2-1 victory over Chicago Fire FC at Shell Energy Stadium. Brazilian attacker Guilherme Santos stole the show with two second-half goals in his club debut.

The win improved Houston’s all-time MLS home opener record to 11-2-8.

Chicago struck first in the 31st minute when forward Hugo Cuypers scored from close range to give the Fire a 1-0 lead. Houston had chances before halftime but could not find the equalizer.

The Dynamo broke through in the 67th minute. Midfielder Jack McGlynn delivered a perfect pass into space for Guilherme, who dribbled into the box and calmly placed the ball into the bottom left corner to tie the match.

Guilherme was not done. In the 78th minute, a rebound from forward Ezequiel Ponce fell kindly in front of goal. Guilherme reacted quickly and slid a left-footed shot between the goalkeeper’s legs for the game-winner.

With his two goals, Guilherme became just the third player in club history to score multiple goals in his Dynamo debut and the first since 2020.

Houston’s new-look roster was on full display. Midfielder Mateusz Bogusz, midfielder Agustín Bouzat, defender Lucas Halter and fullback Franco Negri all made their club debuts. Defender Antônio Carlos wore the captain’s armband in place of injured Artur.

Goalkeeper Jonathan Bond made two key saves to keep the Fire from extending their lead, including a strong stop in the first half.

The Dynamo will continue their season-opening homestand next Sunday against Los Angeles FC, with kickoff set for 7:30 p.m. CT at Shell Energy Stadium.

Breezy Johnson wins Olympic Gold after long road back

Photo courtesy of US Ski and Snowboarding 

By Robert H Kelly

Copyright 2026 All Rights Reserved

CORTINA D’AMPEZZO, ITALY (February 8, 2026)  Breezy Johnson’s journey came full circle on one of skiing’s most famous slopes. Four years after a painful crash at Cortina ended her Olympic dreams, the American skier returned and won gold in the women’s downhill at the 2026 Winter Olympics.

Johnson finished the race in 1:36.10, earning the first gold medal of her career and the first medal for Team USA at these Games. The 30-year-old skier showed fearlessness from start to finish, attacking the course with speed and confidence. At times, snow sprayed from her skis as she pushed the limits of control. She reached a top speed of 80 miles per hour.

Downhill skiing is known as one of the most dangerous events in the Olympics, and Johnson’s run showed why. She took bold risks, sometimes drifting outside the blue lines that mark the course. Those chances paid off. She gained time at nearly every checkpoint and crossed the finish line in first place.

Germany’s Emma Aicher came close, winning silver with a time of 1:36.14, just four-hundredths of a second behind Johnson. Italy’s Sofia Goggia took bronze in 1:36.69, earning a medal on her home slope.

This was Johnson’s third time qualifying for the Olympics, but only her second time competing. In 2022, she tore her ACL just weeks before the Games. She tried to return, but another crash in Cortina caused more injury and ended her season.