Houston Dynamo win El Capitan with 2-0 victory over FC Dallas
(image via Houston Dynamo FC)
The Houston Dynamo went to Frisco on Saturday night looking for a bit of revenge in this installment of the Texas Derby. FC Dallas came to Shell Energy Stadium to open the 2025 season and walked away with three points after a 2-1 win. The Dynamo wanted pay back, and pay back was what they got.
Both teams had to wait for kickoff as storms rolled through the Dallas area. After a 50 minute delay, the match kicked off. Franco Escobar came back into the lineup at left back after missing the last two games because of suspension. Ezequiel Ponce was not on the match day roster at all. There was no injury noted on the availability report so his absence raised a lot of eyeballs.
On the field, the first half was what you would expect from a derby. Both teams were physical, trying to find small windows to get a break through. The best chance of the half came from FC Dallas, from within their own half. Anderson Julio sprinted forward and just before midfield uncorked a shot all the way to goal. Dynamo goalkeeper Jonathan Bond retreated back and made an incredible save to tip the ball over the bar.
The teams went to half time scoreless, with things all to play for still in the derby. Ben Olsen made a change to begin the second half, bringing Felipe Andrade on for Pablo Ortiz.
The Dynamo began to show more life on offense in the second 45 and it paid off just after an hour in. Jack McGlynn took the ball on the right side, and as he has done so often of late, cut onto his rocket of a left foot and unleashed a howitzer. McGlynn’s shot flew into the net, in the 64th minute, to give the Dynamo a 1-0 lead.
Houston’s midfield and defense stayed strong throughout the match and the Dynamo sealed the match in the 81st minute. Griffin Dorsey and substitute Toyosi Olusanya combined down the right side. Dorsey cut into the box on his left foot and curled a shot in at the back post to make the score 2-0.
Dallas pushed to get back into the match in the final ten minutes, plus stoppage time, but could not get any dangerous looks on Houston’s goal. The final whistle blew, giving the Dynamo their first win in Frisco since all the way back in 2011. The win also brings El Capitan, the relic cannon, back to Houston as winners of this year’s Texas Derby series.
The Dynamo will now return home for a short rest before getting back on the road in Texas for a Lamar Hunt US Open Cup match in Austin on Wednesday. The busy may for Houston continues but they are beginning to find form, integrating the new players and getting some big performances from their veterans. After a slow start to the season, this Dynamo team is starting to pick up points as they try to climb back into the Western Conference playoff picture.
