HOUSTON (Nov. 8, 2026) – Houston Dynamo FC return to postseason play for the third time in four seasons, facing the San Jose Earthquakes in the Round One Best-of-3 Series of the Audi 2026 MLS Cup Playoffs. This will mark the first postseason meeting between Houston and San Jose, while the Dynamo playoff campaign is powered by Shell Energy.
Houston’s opening round playoff schedule is available below:
- Game 1 – Tuesday, Nov. 24, at 9:00 p.m. CT – San Jose, Calif. – Apple TV, FS1 and FOX Deportes
- Game 2 – Saturday, Nov. 28, at 1:30 p.m. CT – Houston, Texas – Apple TV
- Game 3 (if necessary) – Wednesday, Dec. 2 (time TBC) – San Jose, Calif. – Apple TV
Dynamo fans can gain access to today’s Game 2 presale by texting PLAYOFFS to 275-748, while all tickets will go on sale on Monday at 10:00 a.m. CT HERE. Tixr is the official ticketing partner of Houston Dynamo FC.
Media members without season-long credentials can apply for matchday credentials to cover Game 2 HERE starting this week. Those planning to travel to cover the away matches can notify the HDFC Communications Team for assistance.
On Friday, Nov. 13, from 7:00-9:00 a.m. CT, the Club will host a Dynamo Fan Fuel Up Rally to kickoff Houston’s 2026 playoff campaign. Fans can swing by HDFC Headquarters (413 Bastrop St Houston, TX 77003) for complementary coffee and donuts, while securing an exclusive playoff yard sign and other playoff mementos while supplies last at this drive-thru event.
Houston enters the postseason as the fifth seed in the Western Conference after finishing the regular season with a 14-11-9 (W-L-D) record on 51 points, tied for the fourth-most points in Club history.
San Jose enters the postseason as the fourth seed in the Western Conference, posting a 14-10-10 (W-L-D) record on 52 points this season. Houston holds a 19-12-6 (W-L-D) all-time MLS record versus San Jose, outscoring them 57-47 across 37 meetings. The Dynamo and Earthquakes played two tightly contested matches in 2026, the first coming in a scoreless draw at Shell Energy Stadium in August, followed by a 1-0 victory for San Jose at PayPal Park in September.
Houston allowed just 43 goals this season, the fourth-fewest across MLS. Earlier this season, the Dynamo tied a league record with a five-match shutout victory streak and held opponents scoreless for an impressive 485 minutes, the second-longest run over the last decade for the Dynamo.
From an individual perspective, attacker Guilherme finished the season with 26 goal contributions, having a say on 60.4% of Houston’s scoring plays, while goalkeeper Jonathan Bond made his 150th MLS appearance on Saturday and finished top-three in the league with 12 clean sheets this season, tying Tally Hall (2012) and Steve Clark's (2023) single-season Club records.
The Round One Best-of-3 Series includes the top seven teams from each conference, as well as the two Wild Card Match winners. All 16 teams participating in the Round One Best-of-3 Series earn at least one home game in the series, with the higher seed hosting Game 1 and Game 3 (if necessary), while the lower seed hosts Game 2.
For the latest news and additional information regarding schedule and tickets, visit HoustonDynamoFC.com.
