Houston Dynamo Defeat San Diego FC 4-3 in MLS Western Conference Clash

San Diego FC suffered a narrow 4-3 home defeat to Houston Dynamo in a thrilling MLS match marked by multiple lead changes and intense action, including a dramatic injury to San Diego's goalkeeper CJ dos Santos. Houston's Ezequiel Ponce was the standout player, scoring twice—once on a penalty and the winning goal during stoppage time—to secure the victory. Despite the loss, San Diego remains atop the Western Conference, holding a slender lead over Vancouver, but their coach acknowledged issues with team consistency and collective intensity, especially in the first half. Houston, sitting 11th in the standings, demonstrated resilience by matching San Diego goal for goal and capitalizing on key moments, with defender Ethan Bartlow assisting the decisive goal. Statistical analysis highlights San Diego's strong season with 12 wins and a positive goal difference, contrasted with Houston's struggles defensively and lower league position. The match underscored critical periods for both teams, such as San Diego conceding mostly in the early second half and Houston scoring predominantly in the first third, with both sides showing offensive capabilities that keep future encounters competitive.