Houston Dynamo appeared destined for a Hollywood-style victory after erasing an early two-goal deficit and taking a 3-2 lead in a spectacular 17-minute scoring surge. But just when the three points seemed within reach, a late defensive lapse allowed San Diego FC to escape with a 3-3 draw, leaving Houston to settle for a single point.

The Dynamo had opportunities to put the match away but failed to capitalize on their chances. The missed opportunities proved costly when San Diego found the equalizer in the 86th minute following a corner-kick scramble, turning what looked like a memorable comeback into a frustrating finish.

“This one hurts because we had the game under control and we were in a good place,” head coach Ben Olsen said after the match. “We did not deal with a corner kick, and we have been one of the best teams in the league in that department this season, but we just were not good enough in that moment.”

San Diego struck first in the 20th minute when Anders Dreyer converted from the penalty spot. The penalty was awarded following a VAR review that determined goalkeeper Jonathan Bond had fouled Cedric Bakambu inside the box. Just two minutes later, San Diego doubled its advantage when Onni Valakari found Bakambu near the top of the box. The forward unleashed a right-footed strike that hit the underside of the crossbar before crossing the goal line.

Houston responded almost immediately. In the 24th minute, Lawrence Ennali set up Guilherme at the top of the box. The Brazilian took a touch into the area before firing a left-footed shot into the net to cut San Diego’s lead to 2-1 and ignite the Dynamo comeback.

The equalizer arrived in spectacular fashion in the 33rd minute. Guilherme picked out Mateusz Bogusz in the center of the box, where the Polish playmaker controlled the ball with his chest before unleashing a stunning bicycle kick into the bottom-left corner. The goal marked Bogusz’s seventh of the season, while Guilherme registered his ninth assist of the MLS campaign.

Houston completed the turnaround just four minutes later. A clearance from San Diego’s backline fell to Guilherme outside the box, and the Brazilian made no mistake, unleashing a powerful strike to put the Dynamo ahead 3-2. The goal completed Guilherme’s brace and capped a remarkable first-half response. Houston also scored three goals in a single half for the first time since its 3-0 home victory over Austin FC on July 25.

However, the Dynamo could not protect their advantage. San Diego pushed for an equalizer late in the match, finally finding one in the 86th minute. Manu Duah’s backheel attempt struck the post before the rebound fell to Gabriel Pirani, who guided the ball into the net to make it 3-3.

The result leaves Houston with mixed emotions: a resilient comeback that showcased its attacking quality, but another reminder of how quickly points can slip away in MLS. With five regular-season matches remaining, the Dynamo sit fifth in the Western Conference with a 13-9-7 record and 46 points. That total is the third-highest through 29 matches in club history.

Houston now returns to Shell Energy Stadium for a Texas Derby showdown against in-state rivals FC Dallas. With limited recovery time and preparation ahead, the Dynamo face a demanding challenge against their neighbors. After letting victory slip away against San Diego, Houston will look to turn its attacking momentum into a complete performance—and make sure the next dramatic night ends with three points instead of one.