Erik Sviatchenko named to MLSSoccer.com Team of the Day

HOUSTON (May 20, 2024) – Houston Dynamo FC defender Erik Sviatchenko was named to the MLSSoccer.com Team of the Day for Matchday 15, the league announced today.

Dynamo earned a 1-1 home draw against rivals FC Dallas at Shell Energy Stadium on Saturday, extending Houston’s unbeaten streak against Dallas to 11 matches, dating back to August 2016.

Houston broke a scoreless tie in first-half stoppage time with forward Amine Bassi’s first goal of the season after a passage of play involving captain Héctor Herrera and defender Daniel Steres. Dallas equalized in the 69th minute when Petar Musa headed the ball into the back of the net from the edge of the penalty area.

Sviatchenko played a key role in this result, leading the team in aerial duels (5), aerial duels won (3), touches in the opponent’s box (7) and shots in the box (3). The 32-year-old Danish international also led defenders in touches (85), total passes (74), final third passes (17), final third entries (12), total duels (8) and shots (3).

Sviatchenko is the eighth Dynamo player to be named to the matchday squad this season and is joined by Griffin Dorsey (matchday 13), Herrera (matchday 13), Ethan Bartlow (matchday 9), Artur (matchday 7), Franco Escobar (7th day), Brad Smith (6th day) and Aliyu Ibrahim (5th day). Head coach Ben Olsen was also named to the Matchday 9 squad following Houston’s 2-1 victory at Minnesota United FC.

The Dynamo closes out the May slate with a road trip to take on the LA Galaxy on Saturday, May 25, with kickoff scheduled for 9:30 p.m. CT.