Kansas City, Kan. (Oct. 18, 2025) – Houston Dynamo FC earned a point on the road on Decision Day 2025, drawing, 0-0, with Sporting Kansas City to bring the 20th season in Club history to a close.
Notably, in the 80th minute, forward Nelson Quiñónes made his 2025 league debut, playing his first competitive minutes since suffering a major knee injury in the 2024 preseason.
Goalkeeper Jonathan Bond was called into action in the seventh minute when Dániel Sallói created some space in the box and managed a shot, but the veteran shot stopper scooped up the danger for his first of two saves on the night to earn his seventh clean sheet of the season.
Midfielder Ondřej Lingr had Houston’s first dangerous chance of the match in the 22nd minute when a ball over the top from defender Griffin Dorsey carried to the Czech Republic international, who fired a strong shot from the edge of the back but could not quite beat goalkeeper John Pulskamp.
Forward Ezequiel Ponce forced a full-stretch save from Pulskamp in the 35th minute when he ran onto the ball in the box and managed a tight-angle shot. The Argentinian striker leads the team with 12 goals in all competitions this season entering this match.
Forward Lawrence Ennali managed another strong chance for Houston in the 40th minute when Lingr played the German winger into the box, forcing Pulskamp into a low, quick reaction save.
Ennali also closed the first half with another strong chance when Ponce backheeled the ball into his path before the German winger struck the ball with his left foot to force another quick reaction save from Pulskamp.
In the 59th minute, the Dynamo briefly appeared to have their opportunity, as Ennali pounced on a poor touch from Pulskamp that was tripped up by the keeper in the box. Referee Nabil Bensalah pointed to the spot, only for the penalty to be rescinded as Houston was judged to have been offside in the build-up.
Shortly after, Ennali knocked on the door from range, with a right-footed curler. Pulskamp got a fingertip on the long-distance shot to deflect it onto the post and out for a Dynamo corner.
Ponce was nearly the hero in the sixth minute of second half stoppage time. The Argentinian striker streaked onto a cross and headed toward frame – directing the shot just wide of goal – the last real action of the match.
