HOUSTON, TEXAS, USA — Guilherme delivered a stunning second-half brace to hand Houston Dynamo FC a hard-fought 2-1 victory over Chicago Fire FC at Shell Energy Stadium on Saturday. The Brazilian forward's clinical double — struck in the 66th and 77th minutes — overturned Hugo Cuypers' first-half opener and sent the home faithful into raptures in what proved to be a gripping MLS encounter.
Chicago arrived in Houston with momentum on their side and quickly imposed themselves on the contest. Cuypers broke the deadlock in the 31st minute, guiding a composed left-footed finish from the centre of the box into the top left corner to give the Fire a deserved lead. The Belgian striker's goal reflected Chicago's early dominance, as they dominated the ball with 57.5% possession, pinning Houston Dynamo back for long stretches and dictating the tempo of the first half.
Houston, to their credit, refused to buckle. Jack McGlynn grew increasingly influential in midfield, and it was his probing left-footed drive from outside the box in the 54th minute — smartly saved by Chicago goalkeeper Chris Brady in the centre of the goal — that signalled the Dynamo's intent to fight back. Just moments before the interval, Leonardo Barroso had tested Jonathan Bond from distance, the Houston goalkeeper gathering comfortably after a well-worked move involving Hugo Cuypers, but the half-time whistle arrived with the Fire still ahead.
The second half belonged to Guilherme. The equaliser arrived in the 66th minute when McGlynn threaded a perfectly weighted through ball into the Brazilian's path, and Guilherme did the rest — drilling a precise left-footed finish from the centre of the box into the bottom right corner. It was a goal of real quality, and it transformed the atmosphere inside Shell Energy Stadium entirely.
Houston sensed blood. Mateusz Bogusz rattled the right post with a left-footed effort from outside the box in the 70th minute, a moment that drew a collective gasp from the crowd and underlined the Dynamo's growing belief. Chicago, to their credit, continued to press and create — Philip Zinckernagel remained a persistent threat on the left flank — but Houston's defensive unit, marshalled by Erik Sviatchenko and Lucas Halter, held firm despite both defenders picking up yellow cards in the closing stages.
The winner arrived in the 77th minute and it was Guilherme again. Latching onto a loose ball on the left side of the six-yard box, he swept a composed left-footed finish into the centre of the goal, leaving Brady with no chance. It was the striker's second goal of the night and sealed a memorable comeback victory for the home side. Guilherme was withdrawn in the 87th minute due to an injury, but by then his work was done.
The statistics told an interesting story. Chicago Fire dominated possession at 57.5% and registered six shots to Houston's ten, yet it was the Dynamo who proved more clinical when it mattered. Houston registered four shots on target to Chicago's three, with both goalkeepers — Bond and Brady — making two saves apiece. Chicago's frustration manifested in the foul count, committing 20 fouls to Houston's 11, contributing to a card-heavy finish that saw five yellows distributed across both sides.
Confidence will be high when Houston Dynamo face LAFC next on February 28, while Chicago Fire must dust themselves off before travelling to face CF Montréal on the same date.
