Houston Dynamo Edge America de Cali 2-1 in International Club Friendly

Houston, Texas – July 16, 2026 – The Houston Dynamo kicked off their mid-season international friendly schedule with a hard-fought 2-1 victory over Colombian side America de Cali at Shell Energy Stadium. The match provided valuable minutes for squad rotation and gave fans a glimpse of the team’s depth ahead of the MLS playoffs push.

Match Overview

Playing in front of a lively crowd of over 18,000, the Dynamo started brightly and took control from the opening whistle. Head coach Ben Olsen fielded a mixed lineup of regular starters and fringe players, while America de Cali, in the midst of their pre-season preparation, looked to test their fitness against MLS opposition. The game was played at a high tempo, with both sides creating clear chances.

Key Moments

• 12th minute – Dynamo open the scoring: A slick passing move ended with Amine Bassi slipping a through ball to Sebastian Kowalczyk, who calmly slotted past America goalkeeper Diego Novoa for his first goal of the pre-season.
• 44th minute – America equalize: A corner kick was not cleared properly by the Dynamo defense, and America’s towering defender Jorge Soto nodded home from close range to level the scores just before halftime.
• 67th minute – Dynamo win it: Substitute Ibrahim Aliyu made an immediate impact, latching onto a through ball from Héctor Herrera and firing a powerful shot into the top corner to restore Houston’s lead.
• 78th minute – Late scare: America de Cali pushed for an equalizer, with Adrián Ramos forcing a sharp save from Dynamo goalkeeper Steve Clark.

Tactical Story

Houston Dynamo dominated possession (62%) and created more chances throughout, using their wing-backs to stretch America’s defense. Herrera controlled the midfield tempo, while the combination play between Bassi and Kowalczyk caused problems. America de Cali relied on direct counter-attacks and set pieces, which yielded their goal. The Dynamo’s defensive shape was tested but held firm, with center-back Erik Sviatchenko making several key interceptions.

Standout Players

• Héctor Herrera (Houston Dynamo): The Mexican international was the orchestrator, completing 92% of his passes and providing the assist for the winning goal. His leadership was evident.
• Sebastian Kowalczyk (Houston Dynamo): The Polish midfielder scored the opening goal and was a constant threat with his movement off the ball.
• Jorge Soto (America de Cali): The Colombian defender scored the equalizer and was solid at the back, winning all his aerial duels.

Friendly Impact and What’s Next

The friendly win continues Houston Dynamo’s positive momentum after a strong run in MLS play. The team will use these matches to fine-tune tactics and integrate younger players. America de Cali, meanwhile, gained valuable experience against an MLS side as they prepare for the upcoming Colombian Primera A season. The Dynamo next face Liga MX side Pumas UNAM in another international friendly on July 20.