The first road test in the MLS has arrived for LAFC and in a lot of ways, it’s a big one. The boys have headed to Houston to take on the Dynamo, who not only won their season opener at home, but is a team that Los Angeles hasn’t beaten in their house since 2019. That’s right, nearly seven years without a win in Houston, and yet, it feels like this is finally the season they snap that unwanted streak. LAFC are coming into this one with a streak of their own, having won all three matches to start the 2026 campaign, including two clean sheets. Now, they look to avoid the road woes that has plagued them in years past and keep the run of form going with a big win in very hostile territory.
The Starting XI for #HOUvLAFC#LAFC | @BMO_US pic.twitter.com/1N3siVNo1r
— LAFC (@LAFC) March 1, 2026
Unsurprisingly, after several players got some rest at the midweek as LAFC secured their spot in the next round of the Concacaf Champions Cup with a win over Real España, the team came into tonight’s match with the same starting XI that was able to take down the reigning champion Inter Miami, in their season opener at LA Coliseum. The first 25 minutes of the match followed more past history and not recent results. Los Angeles came out a bit flat, unable to find that connection with Son and Bouanga in that final third to really open up the attack. Couple that with Houston doing a great job in finding space in their attack and it was the home side that looked a lot more threatening in the early stages of the match.
The first half came and went without a goal, but the real story throughout the first half was the spice this match brought out of both sides. Hard physical play, rough tackles, lots of arguing with the referee on calls from both sides, it was very much a hard fought match with plenty of emotions set to boil over and late in the half, they did just that. With just seconds left in the first half Houston Dynamo defender Antonio Carlos got a little too aggressive with a tackle on Heung-Min Son just outside of the box. He didn’t play the ball, was coming in from behind and got all achilles on his challenge, sending Son to the ground and earning a straight red in the process. While it can be argued that was more of an orange hued card instead of a straight red, it was still a very dangerous challenge that Carlos had no business making, and he got sent off for his troubles. Houston only had seven subs, two of which were goalkeepers, so now down a man, against a team like LAFC, with little to no bench, didn’t look good for the home side heading into the second half. However, now it was on Los Angeles to capitalize.
Coming into the match Houston felt they had the advantage on set pieces, feeling like that would be their best opportunity to stun LAFC, but it was the visitors who opened up scoring on a set piece in the 56th minute. A perfectly played short corner from LAFC went from Son, to Bouanga, right back to Son who found midfielder Mark Delgado outside the box with plenty of space. The former Galaxy player got to an angle he liked and let it fly from outside the box and the shot screamed past the outstretched, and fellow former Galaxy goalkeeper, Jonathan Bond, for the opening goal and the rare midfield score for LAFC.
Delgado from distance 🚀#HOUvLAFC 0-1 pic.twitter.com/HqqlFf0hpy
— LAFC (@LAFC) March 1, 2026
Things went from bad to worse for Houston late in the match. After a fantastic pass from Amin Boudri sent Son on the run, with nothing but open field in front of him as he looked set to take Bond on 1v1, but Houston midfielder Agustin Bouzat wasn’t about to let Son have the chance as he brought him down just as he streaked past him, forcing the attacker to the ground as he earned a straight red card for DOGSO (Denial Of Goal Scoring Opportunity). Now, Houston were down a goal, and down two players with another 20 minutes left to play, and LAFC were presented with a great opportunity to find a second and put this gritty, feisty match away.
Just moments after the second red card was shown, LAFC earned another corner and once again, made the absolute most of it. This time it was Bouanga to Son on the short corner, with Son once again found Delgado who this time passed it on to newcomer Stephan Eustáquio who needed just one quick look to unload a rocket that fired past Bond for his first LAFC goal, doubling the lead for Los Angeles and all but securing the three points on the road.
Eustáquio from deep 🎯
What a way to score your first 😮💨 pic.twitter.com/OO8p8uBOhE
— LAFC (@LAFC) March 1, 2026
The late second goal was enough to push LAFC to the three points on the road, giving them a fourth win in a row to start the 2026 season. The win also snaps the winless streak in Houston, with this their first win there since 2019. If the clean sheet win against Real España was a dominant one goal win, this was very much a less dominant, far more gritty win on the road. Houston tried to make this a physical match and LAFC answered emphatically. Now the focus shifts to a bit of rest with the busy start to the season now over. They are back at home next time out, welcoming FC Dallas.
Thoughts on the win in Houston? Drop a comment and tell us below!