Just when it appeared as though Orlando City was starting to show signs of life after a solid midweek showing, the Lions lost at home. Mexican national team stalwart Héctor Herrera provided the difference-maker with a second-half goal as Orlando City fell 1-0 to the Houston Dynamo on Saturday night in front of 19,243 fans at Inter&Co Stadium.
Orlando City fell to 1-6-1 with 4 points in Major League Soccer’s Eastern Conference, falling to the bottom of the conference table after suffering its fourth shutout of the season. Houston improved to 3-4-0 and has 9 points in the MLS West.
The loss came after the Lions advanced to the Round of 16 in the U.S. Open Cup. Orlando City beat Naples FC 1-0 on Wednesday and the club hoped it would continue to build some momentum.
“We’re not here to make bad excuses,” Orlando City captain Robin Jansson said. “We’re here to compete and compete for Orlando City. And to be completely honest, it hasn’t been good enough. But we’re working.”
Houston’s goal came on a breakaway in the 75th minute following impressive build-up play by Lawrence Ennali. Iago tried to clear Ezequiel Ponce’s initial shot off the goal line, but Houston’s attackers outnumbered the recovering defense, leaving Herrera open to slot home the rebound for the 1-0 lead with his first goal of the season.
The Lions dominated possession at 60.3% and had some chances. In the 44th minute, for example, Tiago hit the right post with a right-footed shot from the right side of the 6-yard box that represented Orlando City’s top threat.
“We have our scoring opportunities,” Jansson added, “and I think we have to convert on them to put us in a better spot towards the end of the game where stuff like this can happen in transition.
“Unfortunately, they score a goal. If we score the one off the post, for example, in the first half … I think that would be a completely different game. But now we’re sitting here and having a loss instead. Not happy at all.”
Neither team was particularly impressive offensively, generating only sporadic attacks. Houston finished with four shots on target. The Lions, missing forward Marco Pašalić, managed just three shots on target. Jansson anchored Orlando’s defense, while former Lion Antônio Carlos did the same for Houston.
Harvey Sarajian and Ignacio Gomez both made their MLS debuts in the second half, while Justin Ellis made his first league appearance of 2026. Relying on Orlando City B call-ups is an encouraging sign for the club’s developmental pipeline, and their fresh legs sparked late attacking pressure, but it ultimately wasn’t enough to break through Houston’s defense, despite Dynamo allowing 16 goals entering the match.
Orlando player Eduard Atuesta (top) leaps over Houston player Ezequiel Ponce (bottom) during the Houston Dynamo FC at Orlando City SC MLS soccer match at Inter&Co Stadium in Orlando on Saturday, April 18, 2026. (Stephen M. Dowell/Orlando Sentinel)
Orlando player Braian Ojeda (8) and Houston player Hector Herrera (16) collide during the soccer match between Houston Dynamo FC and Orlando City SC at Inter&Co Stadium in Orlando on Saturday. Houston won the game 1-0 on a late goal by Herrera. (Stephen M. Dowell/Orlando Sentinel)
Orlando fans cheer during the Houston Dynamo FC at Orlando City SC MLS soccer match at Inter&Co Stadium in Orlando on Saturday, April 18, 2026. (Stephen M. Dowell/Orlando Sentinel)
The ball hits the bottom of Orlando player Justin Ellis (22) as players leap for a corner kick during the Houston Dynamo FC at Orlando City SC MLS soccer match at Inter&Co Stadium in Orlando on Saturday, April 18, 2026. Houston won the game 1-0. (Stephen M. Dowell/Orlando Sentinel)
Orlando player Martin Ojeda (10) falls during the Houston Dynamo FC at Orlando City SC MLS soccer match at Inter&Co Stadium in Orlando on Saturday, April 18, 2026. Houston won the game 1-0. (Stephen M. Dowell/Orlando Sentinel)
Orlando player Eduard Atuesta (top) leaps over Houston player Ezequiel Ponce (bottom) during the Houston Dynamo FC at Orlando City SC MLS soccer match at Inter&Co Stadium in Orlando on Saturday, April 18, 2026. (Stephen M. Dowell/Orlando Sentinel)
Houston player Augustin Resch (top) was issued a yellow card on this play as he leaps over Orlando player Tiago Souza (11) during the Houston Dynamo FC at Orlando City SC MLS soccer match at Inter&Co Stadium in Orlando on Saturday, April 18, 2026. (Stephen M. Dowell/Orlando Sentinel)
Orlando fans cheer during the Houston Dynamo FC at Orlando City SC MLS soccer match at Inter&Co Stadium in Orlando on Saturday, April 18, 2026. (Stephen M. Dowell/Orlando Sentinel)
Orlando goalkeeper Maxime Crepeau (middle) leaps to make a save during the Houston Dynamo FC at Orlando City SC MLS soccer match at Inter&Co Stadium in Orlando on Saturday, April 18, 2026. (Stephen M. Dowell/Orlando Sentinel)
Orlando coach Martin Perelman (middle) coaches during the Houston Dynamo FC at Orlando City SC MLS soccer match at Inter&Co Stadium in Orlando on Saturday, April 18, 2026. Houston won the game 1-0. (Stephen M. Dowell/Orlando Sentinel)
Orlando coach Martin Perelman yells during the Houston Dynamo FC at Orlando City SC MLS soccer match at Inter&Co Stadium in Orlando on Saturday, April 18, 2026. Houston won the game 1-0. (Stephen M. Dowell/Orlando Sentinel)
Orlando player Adrian Marin (3) kicks in front of Houston player Artur (6) during the Houston Dynamo FC at Orlando City SC MLS soccer match at Inter&Co Stadium in Orlando on Saturday, April 18, 2026. Houston won the game 1-0. (Stephen M. Dowell/Orlando Sentinel)
Orlando player Tiago Souza (top) leaps during the Houston Dynamo FC at Orlando City SC MLS soccer match at Inter&Co Stadium in Orlando on Saturday, April 18, 2026. Houston won the game 1-0. (Stephen M. Dowell/Orlando Sentinel)
Orlando player Zakaria Taifi controls the ball during the Houston Dynamo FC at Orlando City SC MLS soccer match at Inter&Co Stadium in Orlando on Saturday, April 18, 2026. Houston won the game 1-0. (Stephen M. Dowell/Orlando Sentinel)
Orlando player Robin Jansson (bottom) slides beneath Houston player Lawrence Ennali (11) during the Houston Dynamo FC at Orlando City SC MLS soccer match at Inter&Co Stadium in Orlando on Saturday, April 18, 2026. Houston won the game 1-0. (Stephen M. Dowell/Orlando Sentinel)
Orlando player Adrian Marin chases the ball during the Houston Dynamo FC at Orlando City SC MLS soccer match at Inter&Co Stadium in Orlando on Saturday, April 18, 2026. Houston won the game 1-0. (Stephen M. Dowell/Orlando Sentinel)
Houston goalkeeper Jimmy Maurer (left) stops the ball in front of Orlando player tiago Souza (11) during the Houston Dynamo FC at Orlando City SC MLS soccer match at Inter&Co Stadium in Orlando on Saturday, April 18, 2026. Houston won the game 1-0. (Stephen M. Dowell/Orlando Sentinel)
Orlando player Iago Teodoro (57) heads the ball over Houston player Ezequiel Ponce (10) during the Houston Dynamo FC at Orlando City SC MLS soccer match at Inter&Co Stadium in Orlando on Saturday, April 18, 2026. Houston won the game 1-0. (Stephen M. Dowell/Orlando Sentinel)
Orlando coach Martin Perelman (middle) yells during the Houston Dynamo FC at Orlando City SC MLS soccer match at Inter&Co Stadium in Orlando on Saturday, April 18, 2026. Houston won the game 1-0. (Stephen M. Dowell/Orlando Sentinel)
Orlando player Ivan Angulo (77) moves the ball during the Houston Dynamo FC at Orlando City SC MLS soccer match at Inter&Co Stadium in Orlando on Saturday, April 18, 2026. Houston won the game 1-0. (Stephen M. Dowell/Orlando Sentinel)
Orlando player Ivan Angulo (77) tries to take the ball from Houston player Mateusz Bogusz (19) during the Houston Dynamo FC at Orlando City SC MLS soccer match at Inter&Co Stadium in Orlando on Saturday, April 18, 2026. Houston won the game 1-0. (Stephen M. Dowell/Orlando Sentinel)
Houston player Hector Herrera (16) scores the only goal of the match during the Houston Dynamo FC at Orlando City SC MLS soccer match at Inter&Co Stadium in Orlando on Saturday, April 18, 2026. Houston won the game 1-0. (Stephen M. Dowell/Orlando Sentinel)
Houston players celebrate after a goal during the Houston Dynamo FC at Orlando City SC MLS soccer match at Inter&Co Stadium in Orlando on Saturday, April 18, 2026. Houston won the game 1-0. (Stephen M. Dowell/Orlando Sentinel)
Orlando player Harvey Sarajian (23) passes in front of the net during the Houston Dynamo FC at Orlando City SC MLS soccer match at Inter&Co Stadium in Orlando on Saturday, April 18, 2026. Houston won the game 1-0. (Stephen M. Dowell/Orlando Sentinel)
Orlando player Martin Ojeda (left) controls the ball beside falling Houston player Ezequiel Ponce (right) during the Houston Dynamo FC at Orlando City SC MLS soccer match at Inter&Co Stadium in Orlando on Saturday, April 18, 2026. Houston won the game 1-0. (Stephen M. Dowell/Orlando Sentinel)
Orlando player Iago Teodoro (57) leaps over Houston player Sam Vines (13) during the Houston Dynamo FC at Orlando City SC MLS soccer match at Inter&Co Stadium in Orlando on Saturday, April 18, 2026. Houston won the game 1-0. (Stephen M. Dowell/Orlando Sentinel)
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Orlando player Eduard Atuesta (top) leaps over Houston player Ezequiel Ponce (bottom) during the Houston Dynamo FC at Orlando City SC MLS soccer match at Inter&Co Stadium in Orlando on Saturday, April 18, 2026. (Stephen M. Dowell/Orlando Sentinel)
“We needed them today, because we had some last-minute injuries and absences,” Orlando City interim head coach Martín Perelman said. “They had the chance, and I think they were able to come into the field with heart, with passion, with energy.
“Doing their first minutes in this context is not easy. So we value them, and I’m happy for them, and hopefully they can help us more in the future.”
It was the first MLS matchup between the clubs since 2022 in a series the Dynamo now lead 3-2-0. Houston has outscored Orlando City 8-4 in the five matches.
Jonathan Bond finished with three saves for Houston, earning his first clean sheet in his seventh start. He had seven of his 25 career shutouts last season — his first with the Dynamo. Maxime Crépeau stopped four shots for Orlando City.
Orlando City will have to regroup quickly. The Lions play at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday at home against Charlotte FC on Wednesday. Charlotte (4-2-2) beat New York City FC 2-1 on Saturday night and sits at third in the East.