HOUSTON (Oct. 18, 2026) – Houston Dynamo 2 return to the postseason for the fourth time in team history on Sunday, Oct. 18, when they host LAFC2 for the opening round of the MLS NEXT Pro 2026 Playoffs. Kickoff is scheduled for 6:00 p.m. CT at Shell Energy Stadium, and fans can secure $5 tickets and $10 adult tickets to the match via Tixr HERE.
The matchup between both sides was determined through the league’s unique Pick-Your-Opponent selection show on Sept. 23.
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.
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 penultimate match of the regular season with a 5-1 victory at Sporting Kansas City II. Tommy Mihalić finished the campaign as LAFC2’s leading goalscorer with nine goals, while Sebastian Nava finished the season as the team's top playmaker with six assists.
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.
This regular 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 year, Dynamo 2 earned six monthly awards, including Team of the Month honors in July and April, Goalkeeper of the Month honors for Pedro Cruz in March and April, and Coach of the Month honors forJeremy 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.
Notably, multiple Houston Dynamo Academy players have made their mark with Dynamo 2 this year, contributing to the team's strong regular season finish and helping secure a postseason berth. Dos has consistently led the nation in Academy minutes played at the MLS NEXT Pro level by fielding one of the league's youngest rosters over the past three seasons. This year, Dynamo 2 ranked among the top ten teams in the league in minutes played by Academy players, highlighting the Club’s continued commitment to provide professional opportunities for the top youth players in Houston.
Following the Conference Quarterfinals, the MLS NEXT Pro 2026 Playoffs will continue the weekend of Oct. 23 with the Conference Semifinals, where the Pick-Your-Opponent format will be used again. Participating teams will be announced following Sunday’s results.
