Houston shines in Texas Showdown Clash

 

Written by By Vicente Garcia Miale, SFL Writer | Photo credit: Houston Dynamo FC

HOUSTON - Houston Dynamo FC hosted Austin FC in the second Texas Derby of the season and the first match between the two in 2025. Houston (1-4-4) looked to win the second game of the campaign as Los Naranjas held an unbeaten streak of three matches. The boys from the Texas capital aimed to win back-to-back games and earn three points that could place them two points shy of first place in the Western Conference. 

The intensity of the match did not fail to escalate in a stage full of orange jerseys at Shell Energy Stadium for the Texas showdown. Ben Olsen’s side surprised with the presence of the new Czech Designated Player, Ondrej Lingr, as part of the starting eleven. The midfielder earned Olsen’s trust after scoring a late equalizer against Colorado in the previous match.

The Texan teams worked hard in a fast-paced first half. Austin FC, coached by Nico Estevez, decided to sit back and challenge Houston’s defensive line with direct attacks. Wingers Jader Obrian and Osman Bukari challenged the Dynamo’s fullbacks with great pace. Franco Escobar and Griffin Dorsey were somewhat efficient and held Austin to only four shots during the first 45 minutes.  

Houston’s offensive efforts derived from quick linkups and combinations made in the right wing. North American midfielder Jack McGlynn and the newly re-signed French national Amine Bassi were among the players who created little danger in the final third. A scoreless first half left fans hungry for more action.

The tables turned as the second half started and Austin confidently held possession of the ball. Houston’s defensive line was slowly pushed back, and the Dynamo became the counterattacking piece. 

The first celebration of the night arrived in the 60th minute when a cross from Dorsey led to a failed clearance by Los Verdes, arriving at Lingr’s feet. The former Slavia Prague attacker defeated goalkeeper Brad Stuver with a first-time touch placed in the bottom right corner and gave Houston the 1-0 lead. Lingr was then substituted five minutes later for Sebastian Kowalczyk. 

Although Houston had the upper hand and Austin was forced to attack more, Ben Olsen’s side protected itself by regaining control of the match and reestablishing the pace of play. Forward Ezequiel Ponce incremented the lead in the 79^th minute after another long Dorsey run down the right wing derived in an inside-the-box pass that was nicely struck by the Argentine. Olsen’s team comfortably continued to create danger in the final stages of the match and secured a 2-0 win. 

Ben Olsen and Ondrej Lingr had some thoughts on tonight’s result and the now-set four-game unbeaten streak. 

“Wins are hard to come at this point of the year and we are going to enjoy this one,” said Olsen. “It's been an emotional start to the season, but what I like about tonight is that we kept searching for more even after taking the lead. We have to make sure we punish teams after going ahead, so that was a really nice part of tonight’s match.”

Two Designated Players scored in the same match for Houston since Olsen’s arrival to the Space City.

“It was a great goal, and there might have been a little luck, but if you keep fighting for chances, luck will come,” said Lingr. “I'm happy about scoring and, most importantly, winning." 

The Houston Dynamo will travel to California as they take on LAFC on Saturday, May 3 at BMO Stadium.