LOS ANGELES (Aug. 31, 2024) – Houston Dynamo FC defeated LAFC 2-0 on the road tonight behind debut MLS goals from forwards Ezequiel Ponce and Lawrence Ennali. Houston handed Los Angeles just their second home loss of the season and held them scoreless for the first time since March.
Tonight marked the fifth time this season that two players scored their first MLS goal in the same match for the same team. It also marked the fifth time in Dynamo history, with the last coming in March of last season when captain Héctor Herrera and forward Amine Bassi scored versus Austin FC.
Additionally, the Dynamo have only lost twice in their last 11 MLS matches, while finding the back of the net 24 times during that stretch.
Ponce scored his first MLS goal in the 28th minute after a set piece delivery from Herrera eventually fell to the Argentinian at the back post for an easy tap-in. Ponce scored his first goal for the Dynamo versus LIGA MX side Deportivo Toluca FC during Leagues Cup.
Ennali also scored his first MLS goal in the 71st minute after getting past the goalkeeper Hugo Lloris with a quick dribble to his right and guiding the ball into the back of the net to finish to attack.
Ennali was assisted by defender Franco Escobar, who played a brilliant ball to the German youngster.
Ponce had Houston’s first shot on goal in the 20th minute when the Argentine striker wrestled the ball of a LAFC defender and forced a diving save from goalkeeper Hugo Lloris.
Houston generated another dangerous chance minutes later when a string of passes ended at the feet of forward Aliyu Ibrahim, whose shot forced a fingertip save from Lloris in the top corner of his goal.
Ponce almost capitalized on another goal scoring opportunity in the 37th minute after beating an LAFC defender in the air and heading the ball towards the bottom right corner, finding the hands of a diving Lloris.
Goalkeeper Steve Clark was called into action in the 49th minute for his first save of the night following a direct freekick from Mateusz Bogusz. Minutes later, the Dynamo keeper stepped up again with a diving save from Ryan Hollingshead’s shot. Clark finished the night with six saves and helped the Dynamo defense to its sixth clean sheet of the season.
Artur took his chances from outside the box in the 82nd minute, but his dipping shot was corralled by Lloris.
The Dynamo turn around to face LAFC again on Saturday, September 7, at Shell Energy Stadium, with kickoff scheduled for 7:30 p.m. CT. Tickets for that match are available HERE.
