HOUSTON (Feb. 21, 2026) \u2013 Houston Dynamo FC\u00a0kicked off their 2026 MLS campaign with a 2-1 victory over Chicago Fire FC at Shell Energy Stadium tonight behind a debut brace from Brazilian attacker\u00a0Guilherme.\u00a0Additionally, the Dynamo improved their all-time MLS home opener record to 11-2-8 (WLD).<\/p>\n
Notably, Guilherme became just the third Dynamo player in Club history to score multiple goals in his debut and the first since 2020. The two previous players to achieve that feat were\u00a0Brian Ching\u00a0in Houston\u2019s first-ever MLS match versus Colorado on April 2, 2006 (four goals) and\u00a0Ariel Lassiter\u00a0versus Minnesota on Sept. 2, 2020 (two goals.)<\/p>\n
Tonight\u2019s match saw several Dynamo debuts, including attacking midfielder\u00a0Mateusz\u00a0Bogusz, midfielderAgust\u00edn\u00a0Bouzat, Guilherme, defender\u00a0Lucas\u00a0Halter\u00a0and fullback\u00a0Franco\u00a0Negri. Notably, Houston revamped their roster with significant signings over this offseason, highlighted by two Designated Players in Bogusz and Guilherme, as well as the return of Mexican legend\u00a0H\u00e9ctor\u00a0Herrera. Additionally, defender\u00a0Ant\u00f4nio\u00a0Carloswore the captain arm band tonight in place of the injured\u00a0Artur.<\/p>\n
The Fire took the lead in the 31st\u00a0minute with\u00a0Hugo Cuypers finding the near post from inside the box.<\/p>\n
Houston leveled the match in the 67th\u00a0minute when midfielder\u00a0Jack\u00a0McGlynn\u00a0played a stunning ball to a running Guilherme, who dribbled towards the box and found the bottom left corner.<\/p>\n
Guilherme completed his brace in the 78th\u00a0minute, slotting a left-footed shot between the visiting goalkeeper\u2019s legs following a rebound shot from forward\u00a0Ezequiel\u00a0Ponce.<\/p>\n
Goalkeeper\u00a0Jonathan\u00a0Bond\u00a0was called into action in the 18th\u00a0minute when stood his ground at the near post and blocked away a left-footed volley from Maren Haile-Selassie. The shot stopper finished the night with two saves.<\/p>\n
The Dynamo created a dangerous chance in the 47th\u00a0minute when defender\u00a0Erik\u00a0Sviatchenko\u00a0found Bogusz in the box for a first-time strike that just missed the far post.<\/p>\n
McGlynn took his chances from deep in the 54th\u00a0minute with a left-footed shot that forced Chicago\u2019s goalkeeper to get low for the save.<\/p>\n
Bogusz almost put Houston on the board in the 70th\u00a0minute after bringing the ball down just outside the box and hitting it towards the right post.\u00a0<\/p>\n