Western Conference MLS teams, you’ve got a Houston problem.
With a sold-out crowd of 21,063 at Shell Energy Stadium on Saturday night, Houston Dynamo FC picked up a 1–0 win over the LA Galaxy, securing their fourth straight victory, all of which have come via clean sheets.
And once again, it was offseason Designated Player signing Guilherme making the difference with his fourth goal in as many games.
The Brazilian, firmly in contention for the 2026 MLS Newcomer of the Year Award, beat Galaxy goalkeeper J.T. Marcinkowski from the penalty spot in the 21st minute, giving his side a lead they wouldn’t surrender and bringing him to 12g/7a in 19 games in his debut campaign.
Best of the West
The victory pushed the Dynamo into the top spot in the Western Conference after Saturday night's fixtures with 35 points (11W-6L-2D).
It also teased trophy dreams on a night when the club celebrated the 20th anniversary of their 2006 MLS Cup presented by Audi title.
“We're in a good moment... Performance-wise, it could have been better, and we'll keep getting better," said assistant coach Juan Guerra, who took charge of the game due to head coach Ben Olsen’s yellow card accumulation suspension.
"But when November comes, when we see the table and the points, we will understand the importance of being able to win games like tonight."
Clean sheet prowess
While Jonathan Bond didn’t have to make any saves against his former side, he secured a fourth straight clean sheet, bringing him to eight in 2026, second among all MLS goalkeepers.
Through his entire spell with LA from 2021-2023, Bond secured four clean sheets in 89 games. Now, he has four in a row for the Dynamo, becoming the first goalkeeper in club history to achieve that mark.
“We’ve got good momentum,” Bond said. “It's just now we have to keep it going and stay humble.
"From a defensive point of view, it obviously takes good defending, but we say it takes the attacking players to play and work hard to work back. And I feel like it's down to absolutely everyone that we keep these clean sheets.”
Top-of-table clash looms
Enjoying some of their best form in recent years, the Dynamo will have a quick turnaround to another massive game on Wednesday when they visit Vancouver Whitecaps FC in a Western Conference top-three battle (10:30 pm ET | Apple TV).
While Vancouver will have the opportunity to reclaim the top spot on Sunday Night Soccer presented by Continental Tire against Seattle Sounders FC (10:30 pm ET | Apple TV), Wednesday's clash at BC Place is vital for two clubs looking to make an Audi 2026 MLS Cup Playoffs run.
“Wednesday night in Vancouver is all we're thinking about,” said Guerra. “We go one game at a time, with the same level of responsibility, with the same level of motivation, with the same level of commitment.
"... We're hungry, and we push the guys in every game we play. We want to win, and we’ll take it one game at a time.”
