Houston Dynamo vs Colorado Rapids: Highlights, stats, and quotes
(image via Aldo Canale)
The Houston Dynamo won for the fifth time in their last six matches in all competitions, beating the Colorado Rapids 1-0 on Saturday night at Shell Energy Stadium.
MATCH SUMMARY
Houston Dynamo FC 1-0 Colorado Rapids
Saturday, May 2, 2026
Venue: Shell Energy Stadium - Houston, Texas
Referee: Allen Chapman
Assistants: Jeremy Hanson, Matt Trotter
Fourth Official: Marcos De Oliveira
VAR: Younes Marrakchi
Attendance: 18,889
Weather: 73 degrees, clear
SCORING SUMMARY
HOU: Lawrence Ennali (unassisted) 72’
DISCIPLINE SUMMARY
HOU: Felipe Andrade (caution; foul) 31’
COL: Hamzat Ojediran (caution; foul) 43’
COL: Alexis Manyoma (caution; foul) 47:
HOU: Mateusz Bogusz (caution; foul) 56’
HOU: Lawrence Ennali (caution; foul) 63’
COL: Darren Yapi (caution; foul) 66’
LINEUPS & STATS
Houston Dynamo FC: Jonathan Bond; Lawrence Ennali, Antônio Carlos, Agustin Resch, Felipe Andrade; Artur (C) (Héctor Herrera 63’), Diadié Samassékou, Jack McGlynn (Agustín Bouzat 63’), Mateusz Bogusz, Guilherme (Aliyu Ibrahim (90+1’); Ezequiel Ponce (Ondřej Lingr 83’)
Unused substitutes: Blake Gillingham, Duane Holmes, Nick Markanich, Franco Negri, Vinicius Silva
Total shots: 9
Shots on goal: 5
Fouls: 11
Offside: 1
Corner kicks: 6
Saves: 2
Colorado Rapids: Zack Steffen (C); Miguel Navarro (Mamadou Billo Diop 81’), Rob Holding (Noah Cobb 33’), Lucas Herrington, Kosi Thompson; Hamzat Ojediran, Alexis Manyoma (Georgi Minoungou 57’), Josh Atencio (Paxten Aaronson 39’); Darren Yapi (Jackson Travis 81’), Rafael Navarro, Dante Sealy (Kimani Stewart-Baynes 81’)
Unused substitutes: Keegan Rosenberry, Reggie Cannon,, Nico Defreitas-Hansen
Total shots: 4
Shots on goal: 2
Fouls: 8
Offside: 1
Corner kicks: 5
Saves: 4
HOUSTON DYNAMO HEAD COACH BEN OLSEN
On winning at home again:
“We want to continue winning games here and rewarding the fans and everyone who comes out to support us. So far, that has been a recurring theme. I thought tonight’s performance was my favorite of the year. We were super disciplined defensively. The coaches put together a really good game plan, and the players followed it. Physically, every player performed at a high level, and mentally, we were tough. Some guys stepped out of their shells and showed real nastiness and physicality. Those are the three components we talk about. At times this season, we have had all three, and sometimes just two, but tonight we checked all three boxes.”
On Lawrence Ennali’s play and versatility:
“I am thrilled for (Lawrence Ennali), and for the team, to get the goal and take the lead. We know he can play wingback, and he could also operate higher up on the right side. Tonight, he showed an important side of himself, and tactically, it made sense. Without getting too deep into it, the game came down to individual duels, and he handled his really well. We have played him at right wingback, left wingback and left back in a four, and we will probably use him at right back in a four at some point. He is naturally a winger, so he has had a lot to adjust to. He has been open-minded and solid in all those roles, but today was his best performance by far. Defensively, he handled duels out wide really well, regained possession and joined the attack at the right moments. It was very impressive.”
On winning five of the last six matches in all competitions:
“They have all come in different ways. The Open Cup match was a late push, we have had some 1-0 wins and defensively we have been solid. We have not conceded many goals during this stretch. We have also scored in different ways in transition, with build-up and sustained possession, and on set pieces. That adaptability is important. We will take it week by week. After a short break, we have got a tough run with LAFC, Salt Lake, Vancouver, St. Louis in the Open Cup and then the LA Galaxy. It is a big challenge, but it is one we are ready for.”
HOUSTON DYNAMO FORWARD LAWRENCE ENNALI
On the match:
“It was amazing. The team was incredible, and it was such a great effort from everyone. Every player from the starting eleven to the subs were all fighting together. We did not concede a goal, which I am really happy about. And of course, what a goal; that was something special. I have never scored one like that before. Hopefully, there are many more to come. But overall, I am just really happy and a bit lost for words right now.”
On the turnaround from the last time Houston played Colorado:
“It is the nature of the league, but it is also the coaching staff. We made a few adjustments and talked through a lot of things. The coach told us in the dressing room that mentally, we had to be ready from the very first minute. Our games are always long, and we stayed focused the entire time. We were ready to defend, to leave our hearts on the pitch and give everything. A few guys had to push through tough moments, but they kept running and stayed committed. Overall, I am just really happy with the performance.”
On what it takes to continue winning:
“We just need to do what we did today: stay compact, play as a team and fight for every ball. We need to be willing to make the foul when we have to. It is about being aggressive and fully present in every moment for the full 90 minutes and beyond.”
