Hector Herrera, the Houston Dynamo captain and former Mexican international, was sent off for spitting at referee Armando Villarreal during the MLS playoff match against the Seattle Sounders. The incident occurred after Herrera received a yellow card for a foul, leading to a VAR review that upgraded it to a red card. This misconduct forced the Dynamo to play with ten men, eventually resulting in a 1-1 draw, but a penalty shootout loss to the Sounders. Herrera's red card marks the second disciplinary issue for Houston this postseason, following a previous red card for another player. With Herrera's contract expiring, though the club has an option for 2025, the incident casts uncertainty on his future with the team and could result in additional suspension next season. Dynamo head coach Ben Olsen acknowledged the team's frequent red cards against Seattle and emphasized the need for smarter play.