Dynamo 2sday: Playoff Hopes on the Line

(image via Houston Dynamo FC)

The 2025 MLS NEXT Pro regular season comes to an end this weekend, and head coach Marcelo Santos, along with the young men of Houston Dynamo 2, will be chasing a miracle to keep their streak of postseason appearances alive.

Only the top eight teams advance to the playoffs, and the table is as tight as it gets:

• 6th – Minnesota United 2: 41 points, +1 GD

• 7th – Ventura County FC: 41 points, -1 GD

• 8th – North Texas SC: 40 points, -12 GD

• 9th – Austin FC II: 38 points, -2 GD

• 10th – Houston Dynamo Dos: 37 points, -3 GD

What the scenarios look like:

• Minnesota United 2 & Ventura County FC
  Either side can lock up a playoff spot with just a draw, reaching 42 points and staying out of Austin’s reach. A loss, however, could open the door.

• North Texas SC
  With a win, NTSC secures its ticket. A draw plus a shootout bonus point could also get them across the line, but anything less puts them at the mercy of results elsewhere.

• Austin FC II
  It’s win or go home. They also need to score multiple goals to improve their goal differential, while hoping at least one of the teams above them slips up.

• Houston Dynamo Dos
  For the Orange, it’s must-win and pray. Three points would lift them to 40, but they’d need Austin and North Texas to both lose, while also winning the tiebreaker on goal difference. That’s the only path to the postseason.

The Challenge Ahead

Adding to the drama, Houston’s final match takes them to Washington to face Tacoma Defiance—a team Dos has never beaten in six previous encounters. To stay alive, they’ll need not only their first-ever win over Tacoma, but also a helping hand from elsewhere on the table.

Kickoff is set for October 5 at 3 PM CT, and fans can follow every second live on MLS Season Pass on Apple TV.

For Dynamo 2, it’s more than just another match—it’s history, pride, and one last chance to keep their postseason dream alive.