Major League Soccer Gameweek 26
Houston Dynamo 2 - 2 FT FC Cincinnati
Match Statistics
Possession
Shots
Shots on Target
Expected Goals (xG)
Passes
Pass Accuracy
Corners
Fouls
Yellow Cards
Red Cards
Match Events
38' Guilherme
HT
50' M. Bogusz
↓ N. Hagglund ↑T. Hadebe 55'
↓ O. Nwobodo ↑T. Barlow 55'
↓ E. Echenique ↑B. J. Ramirez Leon 55'
68' ↓ A. Bouzat ↑D. Samassekou
B. J. Ramirez Leon (K. Denkey) 73'
82' ↓ L. Ennali ↑I. Aliyu
82' ↓ H. Herrera ↑M. Arana
↓ P. Bucha ↑K. Smith 85'
↓ G. Valenzuela ↑A. Jabbari 88'
90'+5 ↓ Guilherme ↑D. McGuire
K. Denkey 90'+7
FT
Player Cards
Our take on every player in this match
Houston Dynamo
Goalkeepers
Jonathan Bond 
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
96
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Defenders
Felipe 
PROVOCATEUR
2
Fouls Won
2
Fouls Won
5
Duels Won
0
Pens Won
Lucas Halter 
SWEEPER
5
Cleanups
5
Cleanups
1
Interceptions
4
Blocks
Artur 
MAGNET
65
Activity
65
Activity
61
Passes
4
Duels
Antônio Carlos
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
96
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Franco Negri
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
96
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Midfielders
Lawrence Ennali
LATE SHIFT
8
Late Mins
8
Late Mins
81
Total Mins
82
Entry
Agustín Bouzat
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
67
Total Mins
68
Entry
Héctor Herrera
LATE SHIFT
8
Late Mins
8
Late Mins
81
Total Mins
82
Entry
Forwards
Guilherme 
SNIPER
50%
Conversion
50%
Conversion
1
Goals
2
Shots
Mateusz Bogusz 
FRIENDLY FIRE
Pen Given
Mistake
Pen Given
Mistake
2
Fouls
6.7
Rating
BENCH
Blake Gillingham 
SPECTATOR
0
Saves
0
Saves
0
Conceded
0
Minutes
Gilberto Rivera
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Diadie Samassékou
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
29
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Matthew Arana
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
15
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Duane Holmes
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Aliyu Ibrahim
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
15
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Duncan McGuire
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
2
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Nicholas Markanich
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
FC Cincinnati
Goalkeepers
Roman Celentano 
GHOST
7
Actions
7
Actions
96
Minutes
5.9
Rating
Defenders
Miles Robinson 
ARCHITECT
2
Key Passes
2
Key Passes
0
Assists
66%
Pass Acc
Nick Hagglund
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
54
Total Mins
55
Entry
Samuel Gidi
ARCHITECT
3
Key Passes
3
Key Passes
0
Assists
73%
Pass Acc
Midfielders
Ender Echenique 
DRIBBLER
3
Dribbles
3
Dribbles
3
Attempts
100%
Success %
Obinna Nwobodo
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
54
Total Mins
55
Entry
Evander
ARCHITECT
4
Key Passes
4
Key Passes
0
Assists
50%
Pass Acc
Pavel Bucha
LATE SHIFT
5
Late Mins
5
Late Mins
84
Total Mins
85
Entry
Kenji Mboma Dem
FRIENDLY FIRE
Pen Given
Mistake
Pen Given
Mistake
2
Fouls
6.7
Rating
Forwards
Gerardo Valenzuela
ARCHITECT
3
Key Passes
3
Key Passes
0
Assists
46%
Pass Acc
Kévin Denkey 
CLUTCH HERO
90
Goal Time
90
Goal Time
Penalty
Impact
6.3
Rating
BENCH
Evan Louro
SPECTATOR
0
Saves
0
Saves
0
Conceded
0
Minutes
Andrei Chirila
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Teenage Hadebe 
STORMTROOPER
1
Shots
1
Shots
0
Goals
1
On Target
Kyle Smith
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
12
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Alvas Powell
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Bryan Ramírez 
SUPER SUB
1
Goal
1
Goal
42
Minutes
8.5
Rating
Tom Barlow
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
42
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Ayoub Jabbari
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
9
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Kristian Fletcher
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Head to Head
| Date | Home | Score | Away | Competition | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 01/28/2026 | Houston Dynamo | 1 - 1 | FC Cincinnati | Friendlies Clubs | |
| 01/30/2025 | FC Cincinnati | 1 - 1 | Houston Dynamo | Friendlies Clubs | TBC |
| 02/26/2023 | FC Cincinnati | 2 - 1 | Houston Dynamo | Major League Soccer | TQL Stadium |
| 07/04/2021 | Houston Dynamo | 1 - 1 | FC Cincinnati | Major League Soccer | BBVA Stadium |
| 07/06/2019 | FC Cincinnati | 3 - 2 | Houston Dynamo | Major League Soccer | Nippert Stadium |
01/28/2026
01/30/2025
02/26/2023
07/04/2021
07/06/2019
Houston Dynamo Win
FC Cincinnati Win
Draw
League Standings
P: 22 GD: +29
P: 21 GD: +11
P: 21 GD: +5
P: 22 GD: 0
P: 21 GD: +7
P: 20 GD: 0
P: 22 GD: +4
P: 21 GD: +2
P: 21 GD: +1
P: 21 GD: -1
P: 20 GD: -4
P: 21 GD: -11
P: 20 GD: -5
P: 21 GD: -12
P: 20 GD: -26
League Standings
P: 25 GD: +33
P: 26 GD: +4
P: 26 GD: +9
P: 26 GD: +7
P: 26 GD: +8
P: 27 GD: +14
P: 26 GD: +1
P: 27 GD: -8
P: 26 GD: -1
P: 25 GD: 0
P: 26 GD: -12
P: 25 GD: -5
P: 24 GD: -5
P: 26 GD: -7
P: 25 GD: -34
Match previews and recaps to help you decide which games are worth watching
Houston Dynamo
FC Cincinnati
Houston Dynamo
FC Cincinnati
Win Probability
Futmetrix AI estimate
Four-Goal Thriller Ends in Dramatic Shell Energy Stadium Comeback
Must-Watch Futmetrix Score: 94/100. A chaotic clash in Texas saw a comfortable two-goal lead vanish in the dying moments as unrelenting attacking pressure finally broke the hosts' resolve.
Opening Act
The script at Shell Energy Stadium initially favored the hosts, despite FC Cincinnati having controlled possession straight from the kickoff. The visitors dictated the early tempo with sharp, progressive passing, but it was Houston Dynamo who found the crucial breakthrough. A moment of precision in the 38th minute saw Guilherme shatter the deadlock, putting the home side ahead against the run of play. The sheer Intensity of the early exchanges hinted at a fiercely contested affair, with both midfields fighting for every blade of grass to establish dominance before the interval.
The Pivot
Shortly after the restart, a penalty converted by M. Bogusz seemingly put Houston comfortably in the driver's seat. However, this two-goal deficit merely triggered a relentless attacking siege from the visitors. Cincinnati peppered the penalty area, launching a staggering 25 total shots as they desperately chased the game. Jonathan Bond stood on his head, producing six crucial saves to keep the Dynamo afloat. The momentum completely shifted when super-sub B. J. Ramirez Leon entered the fray, instantly slicing through the defense to pull one back and completely tilt the Balance of power.
Resolution
The closing stages turned into an absolute bombardment. Cincinnati's heavy corner pressure and sheer shot volume pinned Houston deep into their own defensive third, raising the Stakes with every ticking second. The dramatic conclusion finally arrived deep in stoppage time when the referee pointed to the spot for a second time in the match. K. Denkey stepped up, burying a 97th-minute penalty to complete the comeback. This 2-2 draw preserves momentum for the visitors while leaving Houston to reflect on a crumbling second-half defensive structure that threw away three points.
Key Questions
What made Bryan Ramirez the Man of the Match?
Coming off the bench, Ramirez scored a vital goal and ignited his team's relentless attacking siege to help rescue a crucial point on the road.
Did Houston Dynamo deserve the late equalizer?
It was actually FC Cincinnati who secured the late equalizer. Their massive 25-shot barrage thoroughly warranted the dramatic stoppage-time penalty to share the spoils.
How did Houston Dynamo complete the comeback from behind?
FC Cincinnati, not Houston, orchestrated the comeback. They erased a two-goal deficit through relentless attacking pressure, a super-sub strike, and a last-gasp penalty kick.
What is the Futmetrix Score?
The Futmetrix Score is our 0-100 verdict on how entertaining a match is. We look at intensity, balance, stakes, and star quality to tell you if it's worth your time.
Houston Dynamo's Title Push Hits a Chaotic FC Cincinnati Roadblock
Average Entertainment Futmetrix Score: 52/100. A faltering title contender meets a defensively disastrous visitor, offering Houston a golden chance to reignite their championship hopes and assert their dominance.
The Setup
This September 20, 2026 clash at Shell Energy Stadium presents a fascinating contrast in MLS trajectories. Houston Dynamo sit second in the table, desperate to maintain momentum in a fierce title race. However, a troubling Form rating exposes their recent slump, with just one win in their last five outings. While the overall Stakes metric suggests a routine mismatch against lower-half opposition, the pressure on the hosts is immense. On the flip side, FC Cincinnati arrive with a backline in absolute shambles, leaking over three goals per away game. The Balance of power heavily favors a home assault, but Cincinnati's recent victory proves they still have the fight left in them to play spoiler.
Key Battle
M. Bogusz against Evander is where this match will be won or lost. Bogusz operates as the creative heartbeat for Houston, tasked with unpicking a Cincinnati defense that constantly invites pressure. He has the vision to exploit the massive gaps in the visitors' defensive third. Meanwhile, Evander brings world-class quality to Cincinnati's midfield, elevating the overall quality of Stars on the pitch. If the visitors are to stage an upset, Evander must dictate the tempo and punish Houston on the counter-attack.
Our Verdict
We expect a 3-1 victory for Houston Dynamo. The hosts will monopolize possession and methodically dismantle Cincinnati's fragile defense. While the visitors might snatch a consolation goal through individual brilliance, Houston's attacking urgency and title race motivation will comfortably see them secure all three points.