Ondřej Lingr scores late equalizer in Dynamo debut to secure 2-2 draw

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 (April 19, 2025) Houston Dynamo FC earned a dramatic 2-2 draw over the Colorado Rapids at Shell Energy Stadium on Saturday night, thanks to a last-minute goal from new midfielder Ondřej Lingr.

Lingr, who joined the Dynamo from SK Slavia Prague last month, made his debut in the 75th minute, making an instant impact by scoring in the 96th minute to tie the game. The play started with midfielder Jack McGlynn sending a deep ball into the box. Defender Franco Escobar headed it across goal to Lingr, who dove to head the ball into the far corner.

Forward Amine Bassi (shown above) gave Houston the lead earlier in the night with a goal in the 42nd minute. The play began with defender Griffin Dorsey and midfielder Sebastian Kowalczyk working a quick passing move to find Bassi in the middle of the box. It was Bassi’s second goal of the season. Kowalczyk now has assists in back-to-back matches.

The Rapids tied the game in the 59th minute after a penalty was called against Houston defender Femi Awodesu. Djordje Mihailovic scored from the spot to make it 1-1. Mihailovic helped Colorado take the lead again in the 77th minute, setting up Rafael Navarro for a goal to the far post.

The match also marked the debut of goalkeeper Jonathan Bond, who recently joined from Watford FC. Bond made a key save in the 20th minute, stopping a close-range shot from Mihailovic.

Kowalczyk nearly scored early in the game after a pass from Bassi, but his low shot was saved by Rapids keeper Zach Steffen. McGlynn also had a good chance in the 24th minute, but Steffen was there to block it.

Houston head coach Ben Olsen stated after the match:

“It was a great moment for him (Ondřej Lingr) to score the equalizer at theend. The substitutes came in and gave us really good energy. We played at a high level for large portions of the match tonight. We are growing, creating chances and looking more like us in the way we want to play. We are just making it hard for ourselves, but it sure beats losing. But it doesn't beat winning.”

The Dynamo will stay home next week to face in-state rivals Austin FC on Saturday, April 26. Kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m. CT at Shell Energy Stadium.

Houston Dynamo FC earn 1-1 draw on the road against LA Galaxy

Photo courtesy of Houston Dynamo FC

By Chris Price
Copyright 2025 All Rights Reserved

CARSON, CALIFORNIA (April 13, 2025) The Houston Dynamo FC picked up a point on the road Saturday night, earning a 1-1 draw against the LA Galaxy at Dignity Health Sports Park.

Forward Ezequiel Ponce (shown right) scored his second goal of the season in the 14th minute to give the Dynamo an early lead. The play started with midfielder Sebastian Kowalczyk driving into the box and passing to forward Amine Bassi. Bassi then found Ponce near the goal, and the striker finished the play with a strong shot. It was Bassi’s first assist of the season.

The match was also special for Dynamo head coach Ben Olsen. It marked his 100th match in charge of the team across all competitions. He becomes just the third coach in club history to reach that number.

The Galaxy tied the match in the 57th minute with a free kick goal by Diego Fagundez.

The home team had to play with only 10 players for most of the game. Defender Zanka was given a red card in the 28th minute after a hard foul on Ponce just outside the box.

Houston had other chances to score. In the 6th minute, Ponce had a free kick that just missed. In the 61st minute, he came close again when his header hit the post. Midfielder Jack McGlynn also had a late chance, but his long shot went just over the crossbar in the 91st minute.

Goalkeeper Blake Gillingham made a big save in the first half, stopping a one-on-one shot in the 19th minute.

The Dynamo will return home next weekend. They host the Colorado Rapids on Saturday, April 19 at Shell Energy Stadium for Space City Night.

Highland Park forfeits state soccer title after using ineligible player

By Robert H Kelly

Copyright 2025 All Rights Reserved

GEORGETOWN, TEXAS (April 13, 2025) It was a night of highs and lows for the Highland Park boys soccer team. On Friday, they celebrated their biggest win ever, a 2-0 victory over Liberty Hill in the UIL Class 5A Division II state championship. But just hours later, the team had to give up the title.

Highland Park staff found out after the game that one of their players was not eligible to play. After a quick investigation, the school confirmed the mistake and reported it to the University Interscholastic League, which oversees high school sports in Texas. According to UIL rules, a team must forfeit any game where an ineligible player takes the field. So, Liberty Hill was awarded the state championship.

This would have been Highland Park’s first-ever state soccer title. The team had only made it to the state championship game once before, back in 1987. Players, coaches, and fans were excited to make history, but that celebration didn’t last long.

In a statement posted on social media, Highland Park ISD shared the news with parents and fans, saying, 

“Highland Park High School has confirmed the student's ineligibility, and the district will be self-reporting the incident to the UIL immediately. This results in a forfeiture in the state championship game.” 

They also thanked the team for their hard work and sportsmanship during the season.

Highland Park’s situation is not the only one this season. Progreso High School also had to forfeit a playoff match earlier in the tournament because of an ineligible player. Their semifinal game was canceled just minutes before it was supposed to start.

Houston Dash fall to Angel City FC 3-1 at Shell Energy Stadium

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

By Robert H Kelly

Copyright 2025 All Rights Reserved

HOUSTON, TEXAS (April 12, 2025) The Houston Dash dropped a 3-1 decision to Angel City FC in their return to league play on Saturday afternoon at Shell Energy Stadium.

Angel City scored early in the game, taking the lead in the eighth minute after a deflected shot landed at the feet of Macey Hodge. Eleven minutes later, Riley Tiernan doubled the lead with a shot to the near post.

The Dash fought back in the second half. Forward Barbara Olivieri (center in photo) scored her first goal of the season in the 61st minute. The play started with Messiah Bright sending the ball wide to Yazmeen Ryan, who then crossed it to Olivieri for the goal. It was Ryan’s first assist with the team.

Angel City sealed the win with a third goal from Alyssa Thompson in the 86th minute.

Defender Christen Westphal made her Dash debut and helped earn the team’s first corner kick early in the match. Forward Diana Ordóñez, returning from injury, almost scored on that play, but her shot was saved.

Defender Katie Lind reached a big milestone with her 150th league appearance.

Olivieri was quoted after the match:

"Obviously, disappointed with the loss. I feel like we created a lot of chances, especially in the second half. So, it's definitely disappointing, but it feels good to see the progress throughout the game and just progress in general. I feel like we were moving the ball a lot better. It's good to see progress, but we're definitely frustrated and disappointed with the loss.”

The Dash will head to Kansas City next weekend to take on the Current at CPKC Stadium on Saturday, April 19. They return home on Friday, April 25 to face the Utah Royals.

Houston Dynamo FC downs LAFC 1-0

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 (March 5, 2025) Houston Dynamo FC picked up a big win on Saturday night, beating LAFC 1-0 at Shell Energy Stadium. Midfielder Jack McGlynn scored the only goal of the game, giving the Dynamo their third clean sheet of the season.

McGlynn, who also plays for the U.S. Men’s National Team, scored in the 58th minute. He hit a strong left-footed shot from outside the box that landed in the bottom right corner of the goal. Defender Griffin Dorsey got the assist, his second of the year.

McGlynn almost scored earlier in the match, testing LAFC goalkeeper Hugo Lloris in the 10th minute with a powerful shot.

Rookie goalkeeper Blake Gillingham played a strong game for Houston. He made two big saves to keep LAFC off the scoreboard. His first came in the 35th minute, when he stopped a close-range shot with his foot. His second was in the 80th minute, diving high to stop a tough header from LAFC’s Eddie Segura.

This win keeps the Dynamo’s streak alive. They are now unbeaten in their last five regular season games against LAFC and have not allowed a goal in any of them. Houston has outscored Los Angeles 8-0 over that time.

Next, the Dynamo travel to California to play the LA Galaxy on Saturday, April 12.