Houston Dynamo's Nine-Man Drama
Houston Dynamo played with nine men after questionable red cards in their match against LAFC, with coach Ben Olsen calling the decision "the wrong call in the wrong moment" and explaining the official incorrectly identified contact location. Despite the sellout crowd energized by South Korean fans supporting Son Heung-min, Houston conceded two set-piece goals while shorthanded. The Dynamo honored late soccer reporter Maggie McKeith by announcing a scholarship in her name for high school girls and college women.
The first red card, shown to Dynamo captain Antônio Carlos in first-half stoppage time, was for a tackle from behind on Son Heung-min. The referee deemed the contact to Son's Achilles area as violent conduct, a decision that drew immediate protest from Houston players. Houston's numbers were reduced to nine in the 76th minute when midfielder Agustín Bouzat received the second red card. Bouzat was sent off for denying an obvious goal-scoring opportunity after pulling down Son Heung-min as he was breaking through on goal. The match was played in front of a sellout crowd at Shell Energy Stadium, with a significant number of fans there to support LAFC's South Korean star, Son Heung-min. The "Son Heung-min effect" has been credited with boosting attendance across Major League Soccer, with his presence drawing large numbers of Korean-American and Asian-American fans. Following the match, the Dynamo's official social media account posted a sarcastic "lol" in response to the red card decisions, sparking debate among fans. The post was seen as a move that went beyond protesting the calls and into the realm of mockery. The scholarship in Maggie McKeith's name will award two $5,000 scholarships in 2026 to female high school seniors or college students pursuing a career in sports journalism. McKeith, a beloved FOX 26 producer who passed away in 2024, was a passionate advocate for Houston soccer, often working to increase coverage of the Dynamo and Dash.
