Frustration grows after Houston falls for the sixth time at home
Houston Dynamo FC hosted CF Montreal in a clash between conferences for Matchday 18 of the 2025 MLS Regular Season. The side coached by Ben Olsen attempted to add three valuable points in a heated race for the last playoff spots of the Western Conference. The Dynamo (5-7-5) resumed play after experiencing a two-week break due to the scheduled FIFA break in early June. The Canadian side, led by the newly appointed interim coach Marco Donadel, only won one out of the 17 matches played this season and fulfills the last seed of the Eastern Conference standings with 8 points.
A first half with quick punches killed the initial excitement and joy brought by the home fans. Although the Texan side created dangerous attacks early in the game, German striker Prince Owusu found the net twice to provide Montreal a solidified lead. Connections from Caden Clark and Aleksandr Guboglo allowed the center forward to defeat Jonathan Bond twice. Owusu’s first goal arrived in the 29th minute and he scored a brace three minutes later from an exceptional header.
The momentum carried on for Montreal as the second half unfolded. Donadel’s side scored the third from a well-executed set piece. Midfielder Tom Pearce recorded his second assist of the night after finding Jalen Neal inside the box. The center back lifted himself and found the net with great confidence, scoring his first goal of the season and the second of his MLS career.
The Dynamo brought a spark of joy when Ondrej Lingr pulled one back, scoring his third goal as a Houston player. Uruguayan midfielder Nico Lodeiro served a recycled ball directly towards the box, where the Czech attacking midfielder was located. Lodeiro’s assist marks his 92nd in MLS regular season play. Nevertheless, Montreal secured the win even though Houston fought till the end trying to find a goal that could put them back in the game. The 3-1 loss represents Houston’s sixth loss at home and the eighth of the season, one of the worst records in the club’s history.
Head coach Ben Olsen shared his thoughts on the match.
“Montreal is a good team in transition, and we got exposed twice by two poor turnovers that cost us,” said Olsen. “We were just not good enough, and our energy was not right. Some of the structure and transition play was not good enough, so that is on me.”
Olsen also spoke about the importance of the competition among players in the Houston locker room.
“It is about competition and trying to figure out the best group to put out on the field,” said Olsen. “The good news is we have a bunch of players that want to be on the field, so now it is my job to figure out who are the best ones to put out on the pitch. We have to mix some things up and get guys who have the right mentality and energy out there on the field.”
Houston will travel to Minnesota after a league-wide MLS break on Wednesday, June 25.
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