Houston Dynamo vs LA Galaxy: Highlights, stats, and quotes
(image via Ricky Vega)
The Houston Dynamo conceded in second half stoppage time to let a lead slip away and force them to settle for a 1-1 draw against the LA Galaxy on Saturday night.
MATCH SUMMARY
Houston Dynamo FC 1-1 LA Galaxy
Saturday, September 6, 2025
Venue: Shell Energy Stadium - Houston, Texas
Referee: Marcos DeOliveira
Assistants: Corey Parker, Matthew Rodman
Fourth Official: Lorenzo Hernandez
VAR: Edvin Jurisevic
Attendance: 18,471
Weather: 83 degrees, cloudy
SCORING SUMMARY
HOU: Ezequiel Ponce (Ondřej Lingr) 35’
LA: Lucas Sanabria (John Nelson) 90’+9’
DISCIPLINE SUMMARY
LA: Maya Yoshida (caution; foul) 52’
LA: Mauricio Cuevas (caution; foul) 58’
HOU: Júnior Urso (caution; foul) 71’
LA: Gabriel Pec (caution; foul) 90’
LA: John Nelson (caution; foul) 90’+10’
LINEUPS & STATS
Houston Dynamo FC: Jonathan Bond; Antônio Carlos, Ethan Bartlow (Pablo Ortiz 76’), Griffin Dorsey, Felipe Andrade; Júnior Urso, Artur (c), Lawrence Ennali (Sebastian Kowalczyk 90’+1’); Ondřej Lingr (Amine Bassi 83’), Ezequiel Ponce, Duane Holmes (Femi Awodesu 90’+1’)
Unused substitutes: Jimmy Maurer, Daniel Steres, Nelson Quiñones, Erik Dueñas, Gabe Segal
Total shots: 9
Shots on goal: 3
Fouls: 14
Offside: 1
Corner kicks: 5
Saves: 3
LA Galaxy: JT Marcinkowski; Mauricio Cuevas (Miki Yamane 62’), Chris Rindov, Maya Yoshida (c), John Nelson; Diego Fagúndez, Edwin Cerillo, Elijah Wynder (Lucas Sanabria 62’); Tucker Lepley (Gabriel Pec 46’), Harbor Miller (Isaiah Parente 79’), Miguel Berry (Christian Ramírez 46’)
Unused Substitutes: Novak Micovic, Zanka, Eriq Zavaleta, Nicklaus Sullivan
Total shots: 15
Shots on goal: 4
Fouls: 15
Offside: 3
Corner kicks: 4
Saves: 2
HOUSTON DYNAMO HEAD COACH BEN OLSEN
On the result:
"The performance was okay. I do not know if either team played their best, but we have to get out of here with three points. There are a bunch of ways to do that. You can make plays down the stretch, dig out a few balls and defend the box, or you can score a few more goals to make our life easier. It does not matter how we win at this point, but we just did not find enough of those moments tonight to see this game out. It is unfortunate and it hurts. On the other side, it is a point, and it actually ends up being a big point going into Colorado. We are still in the conversation, and we just have to keep pushing."
On how to turn this result into motivation:
"We will be okay. We have got two days to get away. It is an emotional tie. The players are gutted in there, and the staff is as well, but we will rebound. We will have a good week of training because we understand the importance of this next match and the opportunity it will present. It is not going to be easy, but every point matters, so hopefully we can go there and continue our away form. If we do the job there, we are still in the playoff conversation."
On Ezequiel Ponce’s goal:
“(Ezequiel Ponce) had a few opportunities, and we will continue to get him in front of goal. Chances were not the issue tonight. We had plenty of looks to see the game out, so we will look at the conceded goal, but we will also have to take care of business on the attacking end and score that extra goal. We will continue to work on finishing attacks and getting Ponce looks.”
HOUSTON DYNAMO FORWARD EZEQUIEL PONCE (TRANSLATED FROM SPANISH)
On the result and his goal:
“It was a good goal, but it ended up being bitter in the end. These were three points we really needed, and the way we lost hurts. We almost secured the points, and honestly, I am not happy with the result."
On his contribution to the team’s playoff push:
“I am ready to help my team in whatever way is needed. I will give my all in every match and take advantage of every chance I get in front of the goal. Thankfully, I am coming off two games where I was able to score and I will continue to do my best in finding the back of the net and help the team achieve our goals.”
On what has changed in the last few matches:
“We realized that something had to change. We looked at each other and understood that each of us must give our best. Training sessions have become much more competitive. Everyone wants to be a starter, and that will help the team reach the level required on the weekends. We desire to be in the final stages, and I believe we have the team to get there.”
