HOUSTON (May 20, 2024) – Houston Dynamo FC defender Erik Sviatchenko was named to the MLSSoccer.com Team of the Matchday for Matchday 15, the league announced today.
The Dynamo earned a 1-1 home draw versus in-state rivals FC Dallas at Shell Energy Stadium on Saturday to extend Houston’s home unbeaten streak versus Dallas to 11 matches, dating back to August of 2016.
Houston broke the scoreless tie in first half stoppage time thanks to forward Amine Bassi’s first goal of the season after a passage of play that included captain Héctor Herrera and defender Daniel Steres. Dallas equalized in the 69th minute when Petar Musa directed the ball into the back of the net from the edge of the six-yard box.
Sviatchenko played a key role in the result, leading the team in aerial duels (5), aerial duels won (3), touches inside the opposition box (7) and shots inside the box (3). The 32-year-old Danish international also led defenders in touches (85), total passes (74), passes in the final third (17), final third entries (12), total duels (8) and shots (3).
Sviatchenko is the eighth Dynamo player to be named to the Team of the Matchday this season and is joined by Griffin Dorsey (Matchday 13), Herrera (Matchday 13), Ethan Bartlow (Matchday 9), Artur (Matchday 7), Franco Escobar (Matchday 7), Brad Smith (Matchday 6) and Aliyu Ibrahim (Matchday 5). Head coach Ben Olsen was also named to the team for Matchday 9 after Houston’s 2-1 victory at Minnesota United FC.
The Dynamo wrap up May’s slate of matches with a road trip to face LA Galaxy on Saturday, May 25, with kickoff scheduled for 9:30 p.m. CT.
