Playoff push highlights Dynamo’s new era of resilience and identity

(image via Ricky Vega)

Saturday night in Seattle marks the start of another intense stretch for the Houston Dynamo, with three matches in seven days. While a playoff spot isn’t officially secured yet, current scenarios suggest a strong possibility of back-to-back playoff appearances for the club. However, as Ben Olsen emphasized in his pregame press conference ahead of the match against the Sounders, nothing is guaranteed with four games remaining in the season.

Last season, Houston finished fourth in the Western Conference with 51 points, ultimately advancing to the Western Conference Final before falling to LAFC. Currently, the Dynamo sit in fifth place on 48 points with 12 still up for grabs. Six of those points will be contested on the road, and the remaining six at Shell Energy Stadium. Interestingly, the team has found more success away from home this season, earning 26 points as visitors compared to 22 at home. Beyond their road success, the technical staff—brought in to overhaul the club’s culture—has instilled a new identity of entertaining, proactive soccer. Ben Olsen’s squad plays a style of football previously unseen in Houston: one that controls possession and dictates the tempo.

Statistically, this team stands out as one of the most dynamic in the league, ranking fifth in touches inside the attacking penalty box. However, they've struggled to finish chances in front of goal this season. That’s why Ezequiel Ponce and Lawrence Ennali were brought in, though, unfortunately, Ennali’s season was cut short, leaving fans with only a glimpse of what could have been.

With the potential to secure a top-four finish in the conference for a second consecutive year, the Dynamo are proving themselves as a resilient contender—a far cry from the club that had lost its identity in recent years. Admittedly, many fans became disillusioned and lost trust in the club during those difficult times. But now is the moment to rally behind this team, which is doing things we haven’t seen before. The players and coaches are fighting for the city, and it’s time for Houstonians to take pride in their club once again.