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Guilherme’s Brace Lifts Dynamo to Opening‑Night Win
- German Benitez
- 31 minutes ago
- 3 min read
HOUSTON — Feb. 21, 2026. Houston Dynamo FC kicked off their 2026 MLS campaign with a thrilling 2–1 comeback victory over Chicago Fire FC at Shell Energy Stadium.
The night belonged to Brazilian attacker Guilherme, who delivered a stunning debut brace, becoming only the third player in club history to score multiple goals in his first appearance.
The win also improves Houston’s all‑time MLS home opener record to 11‑2‑8 (W‑L‑D), reinforcing their reputation as one of the league’s strongest teams on opening night.
A Night of Debuts for Houston
The Dynamo showcased several new faces, reflecting a busy and ambitious offseason. Five players made their club debuts:
Mateusz Bogusz
Agustín Bouzat
Guilherme
Lucas Halter
Franco Negri
Houston also welcomed back Héctor Herrera, while Antônio Carlos wore the captain’s armband in place of the injured Artur.
Chicago Strikes First, But Houston Responds
Chicago Fire opened the scoring in the 31st minute, when Hugo Cuypers found the near post with a sharp finish inside the box. The goal forced Houston to chase the game, but the Dynamo’s second‑half response was decisive.
Houston nearly equalized early in the second half:
47’ — Erik Sviatchenko connected with Mateusz Bogusz for a first‑time strike that missed by inches.
54’ — McGlynn forced a low save from distance.
70’ — Bogusz again threatened with a curling effort toward the right post.
The pressure finally broke Chicago’s resistance as Houston took control of the match.
Guilherme Makes History in His First MLS Match
Guilherme’s performance instantly etched his name into Dynamo history. Before tonight, only two players had ever scored multiple goals in their Houston debut:
Brian Ching (four goals) – April 2, 2006
Ariel Lassiter (two goals) – Sept. 2, 2020
With his brace, Guilherme becomes the first Dynamo player since 2020 to achieve the feat.
His goals came at crucial moments:
67’ — 1–1: Jack McGlynn delivered a perfectly weighted ball behind the defense. Guilherme sprinted into space, cut inside, and buried a low shot into the bottom-left corner.
78’ — 2–1: After a rebound from Ezequiel Ponce’s effort, Guilherme reacted first and slipped a left‑footed finish between the goalkeeper’s legs to complete the comeback.
Key Defensive Moments
Goalkeeper Jonathan Bond delivered a steady performance, highlighted by:
18’ — A strong near‑post save on Maren Haile‑Selassie’s volley
Two total saves to preserve the win
Houston’s back line, anchored by Antônio Carlos and Sviatchenko, held firm after taking the lead.
Dorsey’s Replacement
With Griffin Dorsey no longer with the team, Duane Holmes stepped into the right back role tonight, offering an unconventional but steady solution for Houston. Defensively, Holmes held his own, reading danger well and staying disciplined in one‑on‑one situations. His positioning and work rate helped stabilize the back line, especially during Chicago’s more aggressive stretches.
Offensively, however, the transition was not as seamless. Holmes provided effort and energy but lacked the natural overlapping instincts and final‑third sharpness that Dorsey typically brings to the position. For now, though, his performance suggests he can be a reliable short‑term option while the Dynamo navigate early‑season absences.
What’s Next for Houston Dynamo FC?
Houston continues their two‑game season‑opening homestand on Sunday, Feb. 28, when they host LAFC at Shell Energy Stadium. Kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m. CT.