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| Photo by Darla S Tamulitis, La Vita Loca Photography, Copyright 2024 All Rights Reserved |
By Robert H Kelly
Copyright 2024 All Rights Reserved
HOUSTON, TEXAS (November 3, 2024) Houston Dynamo FC’s season came to a dramatic close at Shell Energy Stadium after a tough penalty shootout loss to Seattle Sounders FC. After 120 intense minutes of regulation and extra time, the game was tied 1-1. But in the penalty shootout, Seattle edged out Houston 7-6, ending the Dynamo’s 2024 playoff run in Game 2 of the Round One Best-of-3 series of the Audi 2024 MLS Cup Playoffs. The match was full of emotion and high-stakes moments. In the final minutes of regulation, Seattle’s Cristian Roldan put the Sounders on top, scoring in the 87th minute to break a scoreless tie. Houston responded quickly, however, forcing an own goal from Seattle in stoppage time. Defender Griffin Dorsey sent a pass into the box that ended up in the back of the net, sending the home crowd into a frenzy and keeping the Dynamo’s hopes alive.
The penalty shootout that followed was tense, with each team converting their attempts until Houston’s seventh shot. Dynamo defender Tate Schmitt stepped up, but Seattle’s goalkeeper Stefan Frei made a crucial save, diving to his right and blocking the shot with his legs. That save clinched the series for Seattle and ended the Dynamo’s hopes for a deeper playoff run.
Houston showed plenty of resilience throughout the game, even after playing with only 10 men for the final 25 minutes. For the second match in a row, a Dynamo player received a red card, forcing the team to finish shorthanded. In this game, captain Héctor Herrera was sent off after a review from the video assistant referee (VAR) found him guilty of unsporting behavior. In Game 1, it was midfielder Adalberto “Coco” Carrasquilla who received a red card, keeping him out of Game 2. Despite this challenge, the Dynamo battled hard to keep the game close.
Houston’s playoff journey this season comes as part of a strong campaign. The team earned the No. 5 seed in the Western Conference with a record of 15 wins, 10 losses, and 9 draws, setting club records for both road wins (8) and points in a season (54). This was the second year in a row that the Dynamo made it to the playoffs, a back-to-back feat they hadn’t achieved since 2013.
There were several close chances for Houston to score in regulation. In the first half, Herrera connected with defender Erik Sviatchenko, whose header was on target. Forward Ezequiel Ponce nearly scored twice, with one shot cleared off the line by Seattle’s defense and another saved by Frei. Herrera himself took a shot from outside the box in the 58th minute, which forced Frei to make another save. Forward Aliyu Ibrahim also tested the Seattle goalkeeper, adding to the pressure.
Goalkeeper Steve Clark, making his 20th postseason appearance, played a big role for the Dynamo as well. His experience kept Houston in the game, and he made several key stops to give his team a chance.
In the end, Houston’s season ends in disappointment, but fans can be proud of the team’s fight and determination. As they look to the future, the Dynamo can build on this season’s achievements and look forward to more playoff runs in the years to come.
