By Sam Mbonu
With the just 4 matches to the end of 2024/25 MLS regular season, the Houston Dynamo under Ben Olsen is having an unprecedented time which has seen them exit every cup competitions, the team failed to win any game during the group phase of Leagues Cup played at the Shell Energy Stadium. The team is fighting for the scraps of the playoff race and having a poor player performances albeit Ezequiel Pounce's 10 goal run so far this season.
The Recruitment
During the off-season transfer window, Houston Dynamo embarked on massive rebuilding process after the exit of Hector Herrera, Adalberto Carrasquilla, Aliyu Ibrahim. Then come the arrival of USMNT international, Jack McGlynn, David Ortiz, Ondřej Lingr, Duane Holmes, goalkeeper, Jonathan Bond, Toyosi Olusanya who was later sent back to Doncaster Rovers on loan. At the end, no marquee player was recruited, the team has no fear factor compared to their compatriots in the western conference.
Inasmuch as some will argue that the team has had some decent results in away games, but the home front has been absolutely a disaster.
Houston Dynamo are sitting 12th in the Western Conference with a record of 8 wins, 9 draws, and 13 losses. That’s not great. The team’s form has dipped, and they’re averaging just 1.14 points per game, which is below playoff pace. Fans are frustrated, and the results haven’t matched the expectations set after last season’s success.
But if Houston Dynamo misses this season playoffs, will it be a big deal to the fan base?
Some fans will say yes that it would be a big deal if they miss the playoffs but i will say it won't be any issue at all. Before the arrival of Ben Olsen, the team missed out from multiple playoffs and if they miss out this season, it will first time in 3 years they are not making it to the post season.
But right now, Ben Olsen is skating on thin ice, but it’s not cracking just yet. But the twist is this, Olsen signed a multi-year contract extension through 2026. That’s a big vote of confidence from the front office. They clearly believe in his long-term vision, especially after he led the team to a U.S. Open Cup win, a deep playoff run in his first season and another playoffs appearance last year.
So, unless things completely fall apart but remember that some coaches have been sacked for less, Sporting Kansas let legendary Peter Vermes leave for poor results, DC fired Troy Lesesne but for Houston, he’s probably safe for now. The club seems committed to giving him time to rebuild and stabilize. Even though the president of soccer operations, Pat Onstad has acknowledged the terrible home form, he has offered little or no solution to it.
Fan Vibes? Mixed.
Some fans are still backing Olsen, pointing to last year’s turnaround and his leadership style. Others are getting impatient, especially with the team struggling to score and close out games. A 96th-minute own goal saw the team lose to Colorado Rapids on match day 33 and in addition to other litany of defeats caused by errors.
Bottom Line
Ben Olsen’s job isn’t in immediate danger, but the pressure is building. With 12 points to go to the end of the regular season, their chance of making the playoffs hangs in the balance and with Portland at the Shell Energy Stadium, the team has yet to win significant games at home to convince the fans that they can push for the 12 points at stake.
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