By Alex Ruiz
Guilherme’s case for MLS Newcomer of the Year keeps getting stronger.
The 31-year-old Brazilian led the charge for Houston Dynamo FC in a 3-3 draw with San Diego FC at Snapdragon Stadium on Wednesday night, contributing to all three Houston goals with 2g/1a.
In the process, he joined former LA Galaxy winger Gabriel Pec as the second Brazilian in league history to record at least 25 goal contributions in their debut MLS season.
Pec, notably, claimed Newcomer of the Year honors in that 2024 campaign.
Glorious Guilherme
After Houston fell behind 2-0 early, Guilherme wouldn’t let his side go down without a fight.
The Brazilian quickly responded by opening the scoring for Houston, then set up fellow Designated Player Mateusz Bogusz for an acrobatic bicycle-kick finish to equalize.
He then blasted a screamer from outside the box to complete Houston's first-half turnaround, only to be pegged back by a late Gabriel Pirani equalizer, preventing Houston from leaving with all three points.
Nonetheless, Guilherme added to his Newcomer of the Year campaign as he climbed to 16g/9a in 28 games played this season - the most of any player eligible for the award. The 31-year-old Designated Player joined Houston from Brazilian powerhouse Santos FC ahead of the 2026 campaign.
“I thought this was Guilherme’s best performance in a while. It was nice to see him with a fire in his belly,” head coach Ben Olsen said postgame. “We need his fire. In some ways, we go as he goes.
"They’re putting two on him, they’re being more physical with him and that means he’s got to work more and bring more to games to be successful. I thought he did that."
Although the draw isn’t ideal, Houston’s quest to clinch an Audi MLS Cup Playoffs spot continues.
With five games remaining in the regular season, the Dynamo sit in fifth place in a congested Western Conference, with Guilherme finding form again at the perfect time.
Goal of the season?
Aside from Guilherme's heroics, the match's lone highlight was easy to spot.
Bogusz’s bicycle kick will be tough to top as Houston's best goal of the season. The former LAFC midfielder has seven goals in his first season with the Dynamo, and Wednesday's strike has undoubtedly risen to the top of the pile.
Bogusz, Guilherme and the Dynamo continue their playoff push when they return to Shell Energy Stadium on Saturday to host rivals FC Dallas in the Texas Derby (8:30 pm ET | Apple TV).
HIGHLIGHTS: San Diego FC vs. Houston Dynamo FC | October 14, 2026