Houston Dynamo vs Real Salt Lake summary, score, goals, highlights | MLS Cup Playoffs

Full time in H-town

It wasn't an comfortable as it could have been, but Houston Dynamo have secured a crucial home victory to kick-start their 2023 playoff journey. They were forced to endure a second half blitz from Real Salt Lake but the hosts were good value for their victory. 

That will give them real confidence as they prepare for next weekend's return fixture. 

Peeeep peeeeep peeeeeeeep

RSL hurl the ball into the Houston box but the hosts get it clear and the full time whistle is blown! 

Houston return to the playoff fray for the first time in six years and have a win in their opening fixture. Scenes of wild celebration at Shell Energy Stadium. 

Brilliant defensive work from Dorsey to track Masorski and win a throw-in. The crowd goes wild as the Houston full back whips them up into a frenzy. 

Just a minute to go now...

Franco Escobar

The Houston defender is booked for a late challenge on the halfway line. 

It's end-to-end now as RSL come streaming forward again. Their move breaks down and Houston are back on the ball, looking to taking the sting out of the game.

Woodwork! Houston

So nearly a winner after a catastrophic mix-up in the RSL defence. A loose pass leaves goalkeeper MacMath stranded 30 yards from his own goal. 

Artur lets fly from range but his arrowed effort clips the crossbar and goes over. RSL survive, just. 

Chance! Houston

Brilliant combination play from Carrasquilla and Herrera to carve through the RSL defence. The ball ends up at Herrera's feet, 15 yards from goal, but his effort flies over the crossbar. 

There will be seven minutes of added time at the end of the second half. 

RSL are looking a little desperate now and Diego Luna lets fly with a wild strike from the edge of the box. It does not trouble the Houston goal. 

The Mexican midfielder's effort slams into the wall and is deflected out for a corner kick. The time is slipping away from RSL. 

Houston win a free kick on the very edge of the box, dead centre. A real chance for Hector Herrera to clinch the win here...

And changes for the hosts too. Quinones and Bassi come off, Smith and Caicedo come on to help see this game out. 

Another change for RSL, Loffelsend and Musovski replace Brody and Eneli. 

Free kick to RSL on the right wing, a chance to deliver a quality ball into the box. 

It's overhit and bounces out for a Houston goal kick. 

Houston just need to keep things tight now, keep their nerve and minimise the opportunity for RSL to counter on them. 

The visitors have struggled to build the play against Houston but they do have some dynamic attacking players who can hurt you on the break. 

Anderson Julio

Very poor challenge from the RSL substitute, who flies into a wild lunge on Houston goalkeeper Steve Clark. 

There's a real buzz around the stadium as Houston look to turn the screw in the final quarter of an hour. This could be a key spell in this Round One clash. 

MLS

2023 MLS playoffs schedule: brackets, teams, times, dates and favorites to win

What happens if this game finished level after 90 minutes? Well, if the game is tied we will be going straight to a penalty shoot-out, no extra-time. 

For more information on this and other playoff rules, here's everything you need to know...

Read more

Quinones gets into a good crossing position on the left side of the RSL penalty box, but his cross/shot flies harmlessly over the crossbar and out of play. 

As we enter the final 20 minutes this is now anyone's game. Houston are continuing to dominate the ball but the threat of Gomez and Julio on the break is causing real problems. 

The longer this game remains tied, the greater the tension in Shell Energy Stadium will become. And, most likely, the noise. 

More good play from Diego Luna to get his team forward. He finds Jefferson Savarino on the edge of the box but his right-footed effort is always curling away from goal. 

The visitors need a few attempts to get the ball clear, until Kavon Lambert punts the ball up-field. 

Hector Herrera swings in his sixth corner kick of the game and Zac MacBeth appears to lose the flight of the ball. RSL get it clear but it's another corner...

Woodwork! Houston

Brilliant work from Corey Baird and Houston so nearly get their lead back. He bustles through the defence to make space for himself and checks back onto his right foot. 

He curls a brilliant right-footed effort at goal but it cannons back off the post. So close!

Nearly an opening for Anderson Julio as he sprints on to a long ball from Zac MacMath. Houston goalkeeper Steve Clark sprints out of his goal to head the ball away from danger, but that was close. 

This is so neatly-poised now. Houston will be desperate to get a win and start their playoff campaign with a home victory,but the introductions of Gomez and Julio have given RSL a real threat on the break. 

Can Houston Dynamo risk pushing their backline up, as they did in the first half?

Real Salt Lake youngster finds the leveller

He's looked like RSL's best player across the opening 55 minutes, so perhaps it should be no surprise that it's Diego Luna who finds the goal. He only turned 20 last month!

Chance! Houston

A brilliant chance for Quinones as he is played in on goal. He looks to poke the ball past MacMath but the RSL stopper is there to save his team. 

Still just 1-0. 

Good feet from Savarino to hold up the ball and get RSL flooding forward on the break. Gomez and Julio look to combine down the left but the latter gives away a foul with a clumsy challenge. 

It's better from the visitors, though 

As mentioned, Bode Hidalgo comes off and is replaced by Kevon Lambert. 

Bode Hidalgo

The RSL defender was injured in that Quinones break-away chance and will need to be replaced. Really unfortunate one for  the visitors. 

Brilliant opening for Houston after good work from Quinones on the left. He pounces on a miscalculation from a RSL defender and surges into the box, feeding the ball to Carrasquilla. The Panamanian's effort is blocked. 

Good ball from Diego Luna to get Carlos Gomez free in space on the left wing. His low effort is too weak to trouble Steve Clark, but it's a more promising start from RSL. 

There's been a double substitution for RSL, perhaps suggesting a change in style for the visitors. 

Maikel Chang and Rubio Rubin are replaced by Carlos Gomez and Anderson Julio. 

And we're back!

Play resumes in Houston, where the hosts are 45 minutes away from their first playoff victory since 2017. 

Party atmosphere in Houston tonight

After a five-year absence Houston Dynamo are back in the playoffs and their supporters have certainly enjoyed the first 45 minutes of their return. The atmosphere in Houston today is something to behold, boosted by a dominant home performance. 

They will want to see more of the same in the second half...

Hosts dominate in playoff opener

The halftime statistics show that Houston Dynamo have enjoyed a whopping 74% of the possession in the opening 45 minutes at Shell Energy Stadium. They have dominated the ball but have struggled to fashion any clear chances in the first half. 

It's been a pretty tough watch for RSL fans so far, but they take heart from the fact that it's still only 1-0. Let's see how they start the second 45...

Houston lead at the break

It's their first playoff game since 2017 and team captain Hector Herrera has given the home crowd something to cheer about. The Mexican international fired home from 18 yards to break through a resolute RSL backline and give his side the lead. 

Peeep peeeep peeeeeeeep

And that's the half! Houston have a well-deserved one-goal lead at the break. Can RSL muster a better response after the break?

Houston come charging forward with Dorsey down the right wing. The looks to make some space for a cross but Oviedo shows all of his experience to block the attempt and deflect the ball out for a corner. 

There will be a minimum of two minutes of added time at the end of the first half.

Close! Houston

Nearly a second. Hector Herrera swings in a free kick from the right and finds the head of Erik Sviatchenko. 

The defender's glanced effort beats MacMath but bounces just wide of the far post. A let-off for RCL

First booking of the game goes to Bryan Oviedo for a late challenge on Carrasquilla. 

RSL are playing with two strikers - Rubin and Savarino - but even as a pair they are failing to stop Houston playing their way up the pitch. Their low block is one thing, but they really need a bit more from their forwards to aid the defensive effort. 

Close! Houston

Another half chance for the hosts, a shot from 20 yards from Artur after some good work from Carrasquilla. MacMath palms it wide. 

RSL will probably take a one-goal deficit at the break now. 

Screams for a penalty as Carrasquilla is felled just as he's about to connect with a pull-back in the RSL box.

No penalty, Maikel Change did brilliantly to put the Panamanian off his shot without failing. 

There's another half chance for RSL as Diego Luna finds space on the edge of the box and fires at goal. It's comfortably saved, but there's a definite change in mood from Houston since the water break. 

Chance! Real Salt Lake

First hint of a chance for RSL sparks a moment of concern in the Houston backline. It was a swift counter-attack from the visitors and Steve Clark had to be on his toes to smother the ball. 

Decent opening for Houston as the ball is clipped over the RSL backline to find Carrasquilla running in on goal. He looks to cushion the ball back across the six-yard box but he gets it all wrong and it lands in the arms of Zac MacMath. 

The players return to the field we're back to it now.

We'll have a brief water break now so the players can take on some liquids. 

It's hot out there, on this Texas evening. 

Close! Houston Dynamo

More promising play from Houston as Quinones and Bassi combine on the edge of the box. The ball falls to Quinones and the Colombian lets fly but his curling effort goes over the crossbar. 

How will that goal affect RSL? They were clearly content with sitting back in the opening stages, but they have really offered nothing in an offensive sense so far. 

The Houston crowd are cheering 'Ole' for every Dynamo pass. 

WATCH: Hector Herrera goal puts Houston ahead

Here it is, Houston Dynamo's first playoff goal since 2017. The hosts had been dominated in the opening stages but RSL had stayed strong and managed to prevent any balls in behind. All it took was one loose ball and Herrera made them pay. 

You wouldn't have thought it was possible, but the noise has increased even further with that Hector Herrera opener! 

It was a brilliant strike from the Houston captain. THe ball was clipped forward towards Corey Baird, who did well to knock the ball down to the edge of the box. Herrera was there and the Mexican international took a neat touch before firing it into the bottom corner. 

Houston deservedly ahead. 

Hector Herrera's free kick is straight into the wall and RSL boot it clear. Houston regain possession and get back on the offensive. 

Brilliant footwork from Carrasquilla, who skips past two RSL challenges before playing the ball out with to Baird. Houston lose possession but the referee pulls the play back for the free kick. 

A chance for Herrera to shoot from range The free kick is right of centre, around 30 yards from goal....

Huge applause from the Houston support as club captain Hector Herrera jogs across to take a corner kick. 

His right-footed delivery is driven to the near post and bounces around, before being thrashed clear by a panicked RSL defender. 

The visitors look a little overwhelmed so far. 

No wonder the home crowd is in such good voice! Supporters were given a 'Beers on Ben' voucher for tonight's game, at the request of head coach Ben Olsen. 

For the first time so far, Carrasquilla and Dorsey combine to get the young right back tearing forward on the right wing. His miscues his cross and MacMath easily collects, but that's promising for the hosts. 

Houston's Panamanian wideman Adalberto Carrasquilla is ostensibly playing off the right, but has been given free reign to drift inside and make things happen in the middle.

In recent months that movement has got the best out of young right back Griffin Dorsey. He's been fairly quiet so far, but you can see him taking up those very advanced positions. 

First spell of possession for Real Salt Lake as the visitors play it around at the back. Once again they look for Diego Luna to bring the ball forward down the flank but he's stopped in his tracks. 

Houston back on the ball, the noise at Shell Energy Stadium is ramped up again. 

Houston are frequently looking for Quinones on the left flank, playing a number of long raking passes over to the young Colombian in the opening minutes. 

RSL clear the corner and Diego Luna makes progress down the left wing. His momentum is slowed by recovering Houston defenders and the hosts recover the ball. 

Good work from Quinones for Houston on the left flank, getting to the byline and sending in a deep cross. The ball is cleared to Dorsey on the edge of the box and his long-range effort is deflected out for a corner kick. 

Real Salt Lake are starting off very deep here, allowing Houston to push their backline ten yards into the opposition half in possession. RSL will be looking to hit the host quickly on the break through their wingback. 

Positive early moments for Houston as they look to play through Herrera and towards the RSL back three. They look up for this one...

And we're off!

We're underway in Texas, lets see what tonight's Western Conference clash has in store. 

We're nearly ready to go

The Texas skies are blue but the stands at Shell Energy Stadium are packed with vibrant orange. There's a carnival atmosphere in the stadium as Houston prepare to make their long-awaited return to the MLS playoffs.

Kick-off approaches at Shell Energy Stadium

Ben Olsen's side have surprised many people this season with their run to lift the US Open Cup. They built on that success by finishing fourth in the Western Conference, securing their first playoff qualification in seven years. 

They will be eager to make their mark in the post-season this year. 

Real Salt Lake missing key players for Houston trip

RSL boss Pablo Mastroeni is without two key players for tonight's Round One opener against Houston. Club record signing Chicho Arango is out due to a hamstring injury. Arango lifted MLS Cup with LAFC last season and returned to MLS after a brief spell in Mexico at the start of 2023. He returned to team training this week but has not made the trip to Texas tonight. 

Also out is club captain Justin Glad. RSL are expecting to have both players back for next week's return fixture. 

Houston in the house

Quite a variety of fashion statements on show for the hosts tonight as Houston Dynamo arrive at Shell Energy Stadium. Mexican international Hector Herrera leads the team making their first playoff appearance since 2016. 

And here's how Real Salt Lake line up

Bad news for RSL as they are forced to begin the playoff journey without talismanic striker Chicho Arango. The 2022 MLS Cup winner returned to full training this week and was expected to be back in the team for the trip to Houston. His absence will be a major loss for Real. 

Here's the Houston Dynamo starting XI

There are no major surprises in Ben Olsen's first Houston team of the 2023 MLS Cup Playoffs. They surprised many to clinch fourth spot in the Western Conference and will be looking to cause a few upsets with their front-foot style of play. 

MLS

How often do the Supporters’ Shield winners lift the MLS Cup?

Can either of these teams realistically win the playoffs? Given their regular season performance it may seem like FC Cincinnati are the heavy favourites, but history shows that the Supporters' Shield champions rarely lift the MLS Cup. 

So who else? Houston have proved themselves a very capable knock-out competition team this season, lifting the US Open Cup with a victory over Inter Miami. RSL boast the big-game experience of Chicho Arango, whose goals fired LAFC to the title last season. 

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The stage is set

It's a bright Texas afternoon and Shell Stadium is starting to fill up for today's MLS Cup Playoffs clash between Houston Dynamo and Real Salt Lake. The fourth and fifth seeds in the Western Conference go head to head over a three-game Round One series. 

Hello and welcome to AS USA, where we will be bringing you live coverage of Houston Dynamo vs Real Salt Lake. 

I'm Will Gittins and I'll be bringing you all the latest from Shell Stadium as both teams begin their MLS Cup journey this evening.