HOUSTON (Sept. 23, 2026) – Houston Dynamo 2 will launch their MLS NEXT Pro 2026 Playoff campaign on Sunday, Oct. 18, hosting LAFC2 in the Western Conference Quarterfinal at Shell Energy Stadium. Kickoff is scheduled for 6:00 p.m. CT, and fans can secure their free tickets to the match via Tixr HERE.
The matchup between both sides was determined through the league’s unique Pick-Your-Opponent selection show earlier today.
Dynamo 2 clinched their fourth postseason berth in team history, securing the No. 4 seed following a 14-8-6 (W-L-D) record regular season campaign on 52 points, which set single-season team records for points and wins. Their playoff spot was confirmed back on Aug. 23 after earning two points in a penalty shootout road victory over St. Louis CITY2.
Dos faced LAFC2 once during the regular season on June 28 and holds the upper hand in the all-time series against Los Angeles, with a 3-2-1 (W-L-D) record. This is the first time both sides will meet in the postseason.
LAFC2 heads into the playoffs as the No.6 seed after recording 45 points and a 11-8-9 (W-L-D) record. They clinched their playoff spot in their second-to-last match of the season with a 5-1 victory at Sporting Kansas City II. Tommy Mihalić finished the campaign as LAFC2’s leading goalscorer with nine goals.
This season saw Dynamo 2 open 2026 with a team-record 11-match unbeaten streak, where they recorded 31 points, 28 goals and 20 assists, while leading in fewest goals conceded in open play (four) during that span. Houston also opened the season with a team record nine-match unbeaten streak at home, recording eight victories and one draw. The run included a four-match home winning streak to open the season, as well as a three-match home winning streak to begin July.
Additionally, Aug. 14 marked the first time Houston was held scoreless this campaign, ending a 20-match scoring streak in which the team found the back of the net at least once in every game.
Throughout the season, Dynamo 2 has earned six monthly awards, including Team of the Month honors in Julyand April, Goalkeeper of the Month honors for Pedro Cruz in March and April, and Coach of the Month honors for Jeremy Hurdle in March and April. The team also earned three MLS NEXT Pro Team of the Matchweek honors (Matchweek 3, 10 and 18), along with individual Matchday honors, including Cruz’s Player of the Matchday 7 award and attacker Mattheo Dimareli’s Rising Star of Matchday 2 award.
