Houston Dynamo vs SJ Earthquakes preview

United States flag 2026 Major League Soccer, United States
Shell Energy Stadium
Major League Soccer
Houston DynamoHOU
0 – 0
SJ EarthquakesSJE
Full Time
Regular Season

CONTEXT

Houston Dynamo hosted SJ Earthquakes in a match that concluded with a 0-0 scoreline after a scoreless first half. The home side held 42 percent possession while the visitors controlled 58 percent. Houston Dynamo recorded 0.67 expected goals against the away side's 1.33 expected goals creating a differential of minus 0.66. No red cards were issued to either team during the contest. The stronger designated team Houston Dynamo failed to secure a victory despite pre match positioning. The outcome proved inconsistent with the expected goals distribution yet remained aligned with other indicators. The match featured limited scoring opportunities and ended without alteration from second half adjustments.

TL;DR

  • Structural deviation: Final score: Houston Dynamo 0-0 SJ Earthquakes. Houston Dynamo showed a significant deviation from the pre-match structural baseline.
  • Efficiency shift: The efficiency shift remained in line with expectations for both teams.
  • xG alignment: The final score was not aligned with the expected goals differential.
  • Market alignment: The result was aligned with market expectations.
  • xG expectations: The away team generated higher expected goals at 1.33 compared to the home team's 0.67.
  • Event impact: No significant events impacted the match outcome.
  • Red card distortion: The absence of red cards resulted in no distortion to the match dynamics.
No standings statistics available.
No head-to-head records found.
0.5+ goals: 85%
1.5+ goals: 70%
2.5+ goals: 50%
3.5+ goals: 25%
Confidence: High (≥8 matches)

Quality vs Volume

Home: xG 1.8, Shots 12, xG/Shot 0.15
Away: xG 1.5, Shots 14, xG/Shot 0.11

Open Play vs Set Play

Open Play: 65%
Set Play: 35%

Expected Points

TeamxPts
Home1.8
Away1.2
ℹ️ Methodology: Expected Goals (xG) measures shot quality
P. Luce Lauziere
P. Luce Lauziere
Referee • 25 matches
Fouls / Match
Referee 30.32
League Avg 0
Yellow Cards / Match
Referee 4
League Avg 0
Red Cards / Match
Referee 0.36
League Avg 0
Penalties / Match
Referee 0.36
League Avg 0
M. Barwegen
M. Barwegen
1st Assistant • 0 matches
Fouls / Match
Referee 0
League Avg 0
Yellow Cards / Match
Referee 0
League Avg 0
Red Cards / Match
Referee 0
League Avg 0
Penalties / Match
Referee 0
League Avg 0
L. Arfa
L. Arfa
2nd Assistant • 0 matches
Fouls / Match
Referee 0
League Avg 0
Yellow Cards / Match
Referee 0
League Avg 0
Red Cards / Match
Referee 0
League Avg 0
Penalties / Match
Referee 0
League Avg 0
A. Calume
A. Calume
4th Official • 0 matches
Fouls / Match
Referee 0
League Avg 0
Yellow Cards / Match
Referee 0
League Avg 0
Red Cards / Match
Referee 0
League Avg 0
Penalties / Match
Referee 0
League Avg 0
Houston Dynamo B. Olsen
B. Olsen
VS
SJ Earthquakes B. Arena
B. Arena
1.84
Avg Points / Game (Last 100 Matches)
1.42
2.5 i
Last 6 Opponents
St. Louis City Rank: 64 L
Vancouver Whitecaps Rank: 73 W
LA Galaxy Rank: 61 W
New England Rank: 62 W
Sporting KC Rank: 51 W
Austin Rank: 59 W
Avg Points / Game (Last 6 Matches)
0.17 i
Last 6 Opponents
Minnesota United Rank: 63 L
LA Galaxy Rank: 60 L
St. Louis City Rank: 64 L
Cincinnati Rank: 69 L
LA Galaxy Rank: 61 D
Orlando City Rank: 65 L
2
Head to Head (Wins - Draws - Losses)
2 - 1 - 1
1

Team Power Ranking

i
What is Power Ranking?
Power ranking is SportMonks' model-based team strength indicator. Historical input capped to 2 seasons.
66.27
62.79
0 (Weakest) 100 (Strongest)
Metric
Houston Dynamo
SJ Earthquakes
Power Score
66.27
62.79
League Position
2
4
Global Rank
375
484

Form Analysis Opponent-Weighted

Line chart of recent results (points/trend). Friendlies excluded by default. Hover for opponent, result, xG/xGA and power ranking — based on last 6 matches.

–
vs
Houston Dynamo — Opponent-weighted form score
SJ Earthquakes — Opponent-weighted form score
Win (3 pts) Draw (1 pt) Loss (0 pts) Houston Dynamo SJ Earthquakes

Heatmaps Ball coordinates

Attack and defence zones from ball position data. Filters: last 6 matches (overall/home/away), time period, competition.

–
vs

Houston Dynamo

Left / Center / Right —
Opposition half density —
vs season average —

SJ Earthquakes

Left / Center / Right —
Opposition half density —
vs season average —

Possession Efficiency Possession-Adjusted

How effectively each team uses and defends their share of possession. Efficiency adjusted based on team possession percentage

Houston Dynamo ⚠ Proxy
vs
⚠ Proxy SJ Earthquakes
Attacking Efficiency
Higher is better
Attacking Efficiency
30.00
23.79
Defensive Efficiency
Lower is better
Defensive Efficiency
23.79
30.00
Combined Efficiency Index Z-score combining attacking and defensive possession-adjusted efficiency.
Positive = above league average.
Negative = below league average.
Formula: EfficiencyIndex = z(AttackEff) − z(DefenceEff)
-3 0 3
Houston Dynamo +0.45 Efficiency Index
vs
SJ Earthquakes -0.45 Efficiency Index
xG data unavailable for both teams. Values estimated using shots and dangerous attacks (proxy). Confidence: Medium.
Houston Dynamo
SJ Earthquakes
AttackEff = xG ÷ pos
DefenceEff = xGA ÷ (1−pos)

Set Pieces Efficiency Attack & Defence

Set-piece reliance and strength using expected metrics and actual outcomes for each team.

Houston Dynamo
vs
SJ Earthquakes
Created Set-piece attacking threat
Houston Dynamo SJ Earthquakes
Set-piece xG Share Share of total expected goals generated from set pieces. Higher = more set-piece reliant in attack.
54%
12%
Goals per Match Average set-piece goals scored per match.
0.00 0.00
vs Expected (xG) Goals scored minus set-piece xG. Positive = overperforming; Negative = underperforming expectations.
-0.36 vs -0.16
Conceded Set-piece defensive exposure
Houston Dynamo SJ Earthquakes
Set-piece xGA Share Share of total expected goals conceded from set pieces. Higher = more exposed to set pieces defensively.
12%
54%
Conceded per Match Average set-piece goals conceded per match.
0.00 0.00
vs Expected (xGA) Goals conceded minus set-piece xGA. Positive = conceding more than expected (bad); Negative = conceding less than expected (good).
-0.16 vs -0.36
Houston Dynamo
SJ Earthquakes
xG Share = set-piece xG ÷ total xG
vs Expected = goals − set-piece xG

Counter / Transition Attack & Defence

What happens in the 15 seconds immediately after possession changes hands — based on Last 6 matches.

–
Houston Dynamo
vs
SJ Earthquakes
Attack After Winning Possession transition → offence
Houston Dynamo SJ Earthquakes
Goals per Match Average goals scored within 15s of winning the ball per match. ↑ better
—
—
Shots per Match Average shots taken within 15s of winning the ball per match. ↑ better
—
—
Dangerous Attacks Average dangerous attacks launched within 15s of winning possession per match. ↑ better
—
—
Transition Efficiency Index Composite score (0–1) of how efficiently this team attacks within 15s of winning the ball. Higher = more dangerous on transition. Higher = stronger on the counter
Houston Dynamo 0.34
SJ Earthquakes 0.20
Defence After Losing Possession loss → defensive exposure
Houston Dynamo SJ Earthquakes
Goals Conceded Average goals conceded within 15s of losing the ball per match. ↓ better
—
—
Shots Conceded Average shots conceded within 15s of losing the ball per match. ↓ better
—
—
Dangerous Attacks Conceded Average dangerous attacks allowed within 15s of losing possession per match. ↓ better
—
—
Vulnerability Index Composite score (0–1) of how exposed this team is within 15s of losing the ball. Lower = better at preventing transition attacks. Lower = better transition defence
Houston Dynamo 0.00
SJ Earthquakes 0.00
Houston Dynamo
SJ Earthquakes
Window = 15s post-possession change
Index = 0–1 composite score

PRESSURE INDEX

Momentum phases from smoothed minute-by-minute pressure.

  • HOU had peak pressure around 46'.
  • SJE started the game with stronger pressure.
HOU Pressure SJE Pressure
⚡
Pressure Index: HOU reached the top pressure at 46' (63.20).

Team Head to Head Last 6 Seasons

Summary of 4 matches between these sides — filtered by competition and venue context.

Houston Dynamo HOU Home
4 matches
SJ Earthquakes SJE Away
Match Record
2
Wins
1
1
Draws
1
1
Losses
2
Goals
7
Goals Scored
6
6
Goals Conceded
7
+1
Goal Difference
-1
Expected Goals
0
xG
0
0
xGA
0

Data last updated: 2026-08-31T00:00:49+00:00

STARTING XI

Match Formation 4-2-3-1
Match Formation 3-4-2-1
Pitch

General Information

Date & Time
Competition
2026 Major League Soccer, United States · Regular Season
Stadium
Shell Energy Stadium
Capacity
22039
Pitch Surface
Grass
Weather
☀️ 12°C, Fair
Referees
Pierre Luce Lauziere
Michael Barwegen
Lyes Arfa
Alejo Calume

Statistics

Possession
HOU
43%
SJE
57%

Top Statistics

1 Big Chances Created 2
6 Shots 1
32 Dangerous attacks 56
42 Possession 58
7 Corners 4
9 Free kicks 8
0 Yellow Cards 1

Match Overview

66 Ball Safe 63
5 Goal Kicks 7
4 Goal Attempts 5
4 Substitutions 6
24 Throwins 16
7 Successful Headers 7
1 Injuries 1
14 Dribble Attempts 12
4 Successful Dribbles 6
29 Successful Dribbles Percentage 50

Attacking

74 Attacks 93
1 Big Chances Missed 2

Possession

38 Long Passes 41
377 Passes 524
315 Successful Passes 467
84 Successful Passes Percentage 89
8 Key Passes 6
16 Successful Long Passes 28
42 Successful Long Passes Percentage 68

Defensive

4 Saves 0
8 Tackles 19
10 Interceptions 9
28 Duels Won 40

Build-up

12 Total Crosses 20
4 Accurate Crosses 2

Discipline

1 Offsides 0
8 Fouls 9

Lineup

Referee : Pierre Luce Lauziere

Starting XI ▼

31
Jonathan Bond
Jonathan Bond Goalkeeper
7.63
3
Antônio Carlos
Antônio Carlos Defender
7.48
21
Franco Negri
Franco Negri Defender
6.74
24
Ibrahim Aliyu
Ibrahim Aliyu
Attacker61'
6.54
34
Agustin Resch
Agustin Resch Defender
6.66
36
Felipe Andrade
Felipe Andrade Defender
6.43
14
Duane Holmes
Duane Holmes
Midfielder83'
6.54
6
Artur
Artur (C) Midfielder
6.86
8
Jack McGlynn
Jack McGlynn Midfielder
7.09
30
Agustín Bouzat
Agustín Bouzat
Midfielder90+1'
6.14
11
Lawrence Ennali
Lawrence Ennali Midfielder
6.5
16
Héctor Herrera
Héctor Herrera Midfielder
7.15
23
Duncan McGuire
Duncan McGuire
Attacker75'
6.38
20
Guilherme
Guilherme Midfielder
6.74
19
Mateusz Bogusz
Mateusz Bogusz Attacker
6.53
Referee : Pierre Luce Lauziere

Starting XI ▼

1
Angus Gunn
Angus Gunn Goalkeeper
6.78
4
Dave Romney
Dave Romney Defender
7.11
25
Max Floriani
Max Floriani
Defender69'
6.74
5
Daniel Munie
Daniel Munie Defender
7.15
18
Reid Roberts
Reid Roberts Defender
7.31
2
Jamar Ricketts
Jamar Ricketts Midfielder
6.77
17
Jack Jasinski
Jack Jasinski
Defender82'
6.69
3
Paul Marie
Paul Marie Midfielder
6.82
19
Preston Judd
Preston Judd
Attacker73'
6.68
14
Ronaldo Vieira
Ronaldo Vieira (C) Midfielder
7.55
34
Beau Leroux
Beau Leroux Midfielder
6.89
20
Nick Fernandez
Nick Fernandez
Midfielder73'
6.87
7
Ousseni Bouda
Ousseni Bouda Attacker
7.01
10
Niko Tsakiris
Niko Tsakiris Attacker
6.91
6
Ian Harkes
Ian Harkes
Midfielder90+1'
6.57
23
Eduard Löwen
Eduard Löwen Attacker
7.07
87
Vítor Costa
Vítor Costa
Defender90+1'
6.49

Events

2ND-HALF
Event
Agustín Bouzat → Jack McGlynn
8th Substitution
90+1'
90+1'
Event
Vítor Costa → Eduard Löwen
9th Substitution
90+1'
Event
Ian Harkes → Niko Tsakiris
10th Substitution
Event
Duane Holmes → Felipe Andrade
7th Substitution
83'
82'
Event
Jack Jasinski → Jamar Ricketts
6th Substitution
Event
Duncan McGuire → Héctor Herrera
5th Substitution
75'
73'
Event
Nick Fernandez → Beau Leroux
3rd Substitution
73'
Event
Preston Judd → Paul Marie
4th Substitution
69'
Event
Max Floriani → Dave Romney
2nd Substitution
Event
Ibrahim Aliyu → Franco Negri
1st Substitution
61'
58'
Event
Reid Roberts
Foul / 1st Yellowcard

Match Commentary

90
Attempt Attempt
Ibrahim Aliyu takes a right-footed shot but misses.
90
Attempt Attempt
Artur takes a shot, but it's blocked.
90
Corner Corner
Corner awarded.
90
Attempt Attempt
Mateusz Bogusz takes a right-footed shot, but it is blocked.
90
Attempt Attempt
Preston Judd takes a right-footed shot, but it is blocked.
90
Corner Corner
Corner awarded.
90
Update Update
Agustin Bouzat comes on for Jack McGlynn.
90
Update Update
Ian Harkes replaces Niko Tsakiris.
90
Update Update
Vitor Costa de Brito is on, and Eduard Lowen is off.
90
Attempt Attempt
Lawrence Ennali takes a right-footed shot but misses.
89
Attempt Attempt
Eduard Lowen takes a left-footed shot, but it is blocked.
83
Update Update
Duane Holmes is on, and Felipe de Andrade Vieira is off.
82
Update Update
Jack Jasinski is on, and Jamar Ricketts is off.
77
Attempt Attempt
Nick Fernandez takes a right-footed shot, but it's saved.
75
Update Update
Duncan McGuire is on, and Hector Miguel Herrera Lopez is off.
73
Substitution Substitution
Nick Fernandez is substituted for Beau Leroux.
73
Update Update
Preston Judd is on, and Paul Marie is off.
72
Corner Corner
Corner awarded.
69
Update Update
Max Floriani is on, and David Romney is off.
64
Attempt Attempt
Shot by Antonio Carlos Capocasali is blocked.
64
Corner Corner
Corner awarded.
63
Attempt Attempt
Jack McGlynn takes a right-footed shot, but it is blocked.
61
Update Update
Offside.
61
Update Update
Ibrahim Aliyu comes on for Franco Negri.
59
Attempt Attempt
Jack McGlynn takes a left-footed shot but misses.
58
Yellow Card Yellow Card Important
Yellow card shown to Reid Roberts.
57
Attempt Attempt
Niko Tsakiris takes a right-footed shot but misses.
56
Attempt Attempt
Eduard Lowen takes a right-footed shot, but it is saved.
54
Attempt Attempt
Reid Roberts takes a left-footed shot, but it is saved.
54
Attempt Attempt
Niko Tsakiris takes a left-footed shot, but it is blocked.
49
Attempt Attempt
Guilherme Augusto Vieira dos Santos takes a right-footed shot but misses.
45
Attempt Attempt
Felipe de Andrade Vieira attempts a header but misses the shot.
45
Corner Corner
Corner awarded.
42
Corner Corner
Corner awarded.
41
Attempt Attempt
Mateusz Bogusz takes a right-footed shot, but it is blocked.
34
Attempt Attempt
Antonio Carlos Capocasali attempts a header but misses the shot.
34
Corner Corner
Corner awarded.
32
Attempt Attempt
Beau Leroux's left-footed shot is blocked.
32
Corner Corner
Corner awarded.
29
Corner Corner
Corner awarded.
22
Attempt Attempt
Beau Leroux's right-footed shot is blocked.
21
Corner Corner
Corner awarded.
19
Corner Corner
Corner awarded.
14
Attempt Attempt
Ousseni Bouda takes a right-footed shot, but it is saved.
3
Attempt Attempt
Ousseni Bouda takes a left-footed shot, but it is blocked.
1
Update Update
Kick-off! The referee is P. Lauziere.

CONCLUSION

The 0-0 draw between Houston Dynamo and SJ Earthquakes reflected a low scoring encounter where possession favored the visitors yet failed to translate into goals. Expected goals highlighted an advantage for the away side but the final result stood as a stalemate. Absence of red cards maintained standard match flow without added numerical imbalances. The performance deviation noted for the home team underscored challenges in converting opportunities. Overall the contest demonstrated balanced defensive efforts from both sides leading to a shared point. This outcome leaves both teams with considerations for upcoming fixtures focused on improving attacking efficiency.