Houston Dynamo win thriller in Vancouver: ‘It was a crazy game’

Despite failing to find his way onto the team sheet, Houston’s new Designated Player impressed in his MLS debut on Saturday, as Ezequiel Ponce started and played the first 45 minutes for his new team.

“I think he’s been great. His pressing is really good, and I think you can see some of the defensive aspect that really helped us tonight in the first half,” Olsen said of the Argentine forward. “Now we just have to build relationships, and they have to understand where he wants the ball and where he’s running, and if we can get him to serve earlier?”

The 27-year-old, who joined Dynamo from Greek club AEK Athens for a club-record transfer fee, became eligible to play on July 18 and will have the chance to settle in with the squad through the Leagues Cup campaign before returning to MLS action on August 24 against Toronto FC.

“He’s got really good habits and he’s a high-quality forward,” Olsen said. “I know he’ll do well with it when he does, but overall it’s a good first season for him.”

As for the rest of the Dynamo, it might take a minute to process what happened in Vancouver. Outplayed, outplayed and trailing 3.8 to 1.4 on expected goals, they did what they had to do and will head to a Leagues Cup group alongside Real Salt Lake and Atlas of Liga MX.

“It was a long week. We were away and the guys are refreshed. They’re refreshed, but we want to go home and take a day or two off to recharge and then we’ll focus on Atlas,” Olsen said. “The Leagues Cup is important to us. We’re going to conquer it like we do every other tournament and every other game.”