Houston Dynamo 2024 player report cards: Sebastian Kowalczyk
(image via Ricky Vega)
We’re continuing our 2024 report card series, recapping each Dynamo and Dash player’s season. Next up is Sebastian Kowalczyk. The versatile Polish midfielder has been a huge asset to Ben Olsen in a year requiring loads of rotation due to injuries and international windows.
2024 Grade: B+
2024 by the numbers (MLS play)
Appearances: 33
Minutes played: 2147
Goals: 4
Assists: 1
G+ per 96: -0.10
2024 in review
(via FBref.com and FBcharts.com)
Sebastian Kowalczyk came into the year in a weird place with rumors of a sudden return to Poland after only spending a few months with the Dynamo. The rumors were put to bed with Sebastian sticking around the whole season. He opened the year starting in midfield with Amine Bassi out injured. He created a unique spark in the team from minute one and brought loads to both sides of the ball with his massive work rate.
He then shifted to the striker position while Sebas Ferreira missed time and Gabe Segal was not cutting it. As the striker, he was not very goal dangerous, but he created loads of problems for center backs attempting to play out of the back. Both Sebastian and Amine Bassi created a nice partnership off the ball in the pressing department, even creating some goals off forced turnovers.
Later in the season, he shifted out to the right midfield spot with Coco Carrasquilla missing time with injury, missing games with Panama, and shifting to the midfield with Hector Herrera’s injury. He played his best soccer of the year in this position, drifting inside to create space for Griffin Dorsey. His work rate seemed to have the biggest effect out wide where he was able to play a huge role defensively. There was arguments that he should have kept the starting job with Coco back.
Moment of the season
The Dynamo looked like their usual selves on the road, giving up a late equalizing goal to Minnesota in a game that looked like the momentum was fully shifting away from the Dynamo. Just minutes later, Kowalczyk popped up with one of the best goals of the season to give the Dynamo a massive three points on the road. This and Brad Smith’s winner against Colorado kick started the Dynamo’s impressive string of road performances leading to their best ever point total away from home.
Looking forward
Kowalczyk has two option years for 2025 and 2026. There is no obvious reason as to why those option years will not be picked up as Kowalczyk has became Ben Olsen’s go to player when any starter in the attack or midfield misses time. He is a coach’s dream and the fans seem to love both his effort and passion for the Dynamo that comes out win or lose.
