By Jaime Uribarri
Houston Dynamo FC have qualified for the Audi 2026 MLS Cup Playoffs, clinching their spot on Saturday night.
With four regular-season matches left, Houston are 5th in the Western Conference (47 points; 13W-9L-8D). They are in contention for a top-four spot, which would grant home-field advantage in Round One.
The Dynamo are back in the playoffs after missing out in 2025; they've qualified for the postseason in three of four seasons under head coach Ben Olsen.
Houston have reached MLS Cup presented by Audi four times, winning back-to-back titles in 2006-07.
Star players
Houston are led by offseason signing Guilherme, a leading candidate for MLS Newcomer of the Year. The veteran forward, acquired from famed Brazilian side Santos FC, has a team-best 16 goals and 10 assists in 29 games.
Guilherme headlines the attack alongside fellow winter Designated Player arrival Mateusz Bogusz, a former LAFC standout who has 8g/4a in his debut season with the Dynamo. Lyle Foster, who represented South Africa at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, arrived in the summer transfer market.
The midfield features captain Artur and former Mexican international Héctor Herrera, while goalkeeper Jonathan Bond (10 clean sheets) and center back Antônio Carlos anchor the defense.
Houston have already won a title under Olsen: the 2023 US Open Cup. Can they make another trophy run?
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Audi 2026 MLS Cup Playoffs
MLS Cup presented by Audi will be played Dec. 18, while the playoffs begin Nov. 18 with Wild Card matches.
- Seeds 1-7 in each conference qualify for the Round One Best-of-3 Series.
- Seeds 8-9 in each conference qualify for the Wild Card matches.
- Seeds 10-15 in each conference do not qualify for the postseason.
All games can be viewed on Apple TV.