A new face on the block finds late equalizer against Colorado
Written by: Vicente Miale, SFL Writer
HOUSTON – Houston Dynamo FC hosted the Colorado Rapids for Matchday 9 on a windy night at Shell Energy Stadium. Los Naranjas aimed to win back-to-back home games after defeating Western Conference rival LAFC in early April.
Ben Olsen’s team (1-4-3) previously faced LA Galaxy on the road, where an even 1-1 score felt like a loss after the Dynamo outnumbered the California team during most of the match. Colorado (4-2-2) arrived in Texas after an exciting 3-2 home win against the new addition to the MLS San Diego FC.
The roaring fans at The Shell witnessed an electric first half where both teams attempted to establish their own game pace. Houston accumulated multiple attempts down the right wing as they challenged the 4-4-2 imposed by Chistopher Armas. Houston’s erupting fans celebrated as midfielder Sebastian Kowalczyk assisted French winger Amine Bassi, whose one-touch finish inside Colorado’s 18-yard-box defeated goalkeeper Zack Steffen and gave Houston the lead with only three minutes remaining in the first half.
Emotions changed as the situation took a turn for Ben Olsen’s team. A late challenge committed by defender Femi Awodesu resulted in a penalty awarded to Colorado. Djordje Mihailovic's shot from the spot defeated the former Wolves goalkeeper Jonathan Bond and leveled the match in the 58th minute.
An even score and a Colorado team gaining more control and momentum forced Ben Olsen to make substitutions. Czech attacker and new designated player Ondrej Lingr debuted as a Dynamo player after replacing Kowalczyk with 15 minutes remaining. Lingr's arrival from Czech side Slavia Prague fulfills one of the many offensive needs Olsen has encountered throughout the season.
The supporting chants faded away as the night seemed to keep getting worse for Houston. An excellent touch inside the box by Brazilian attacker Rafael Navarro helped him elude both Houston center backs. A right-foot finish defeated Bond once again and gave Colorado their first lead in the match with a little more than ten minutes remaining.
Houston's resilience in the final minutes led to the equalizer that made Dynamo fans get off their seats. A cross from Jack McGlynn in aggregate time landed in Franco Escobar’s head, allowing him to recycle the ball inside the box and placing Lingr in a position to score. Lingr’s header secured Houston’s second draw in a row and the fourth one of the 2025 season.
Ben Olsen shared some of his thoughts on the 2-2 draw.
“We want to win at home and this one is disappointing,” said Olsen. “I thought we had great control of the game. We matched their numbers and created plenty of opportunities.”
The Dynamo will host Austin FC for the first time this season on Saturday, April 26.
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