90min
·31 August 2023
90min
·31 August 2023
The recent resurgence under first-year head coach Ben Olsen continues after Houston Dynamo's 2-0 win over Columbus Crew.
Houston has now won four consecutive games in all competitions (three in MLS regular season), taking down the likes of Real Salt Lake twice, Portland Timbers and the previously mentioned Crew.
It seems like things just might be clicking at the right time for Olsen's squad, as they now sit in fourth place in the Western Conference table with 38 points from 26 games played, gearing up for a MLS Cup playoff return for the first time in years.
"We’re doing it in different ways: service, some combinations, some magic from some players," said Olsen in an interview with MLS 360. “It’s a fun group right now. We wanna keep riding this wave."
Mexican national team icon Hector Herrera has been a focal point for the Dynamo so far in 2023 with his nine goals and three assists, and Olsen made sure to hand out praise to the 33-year-old.
"It wasn’t his (Herrera's) team last year ... In a lot of ways, there was a blank canvas this year. It’s his team as much as mine," Olsen stated.
"He understands the responsibility that’s put on him through being a Designated Player and the responsibility of being a big-name player for our club. He’s just taken that very seriously."
Olsen also explained that the entire team has been putting in shifts alongside Herrera: "We’re getting good performances from everybody on gameday. Everybody’s showing up."
Houston hope to keep the momentum going when they take on Western Conference foes LA Galaxy on September 2 at Dignity Health Sports Park.