Lyle Foster’s new club, Houston Dynamo are through to Major League Soccer’s end-of-season playoffs after a goalless draw against Minnesota United on Saturday.
With three regular-season matches left, Houston are fifth in the Western Conference with 48 points and still in contention for a top-four spot, which would ensure home advantage in the opening round of next month’s playoffs.
Houston missed last season’s playoffs but have qualified for the postseason in three of their four seasons.
It was the fourth start for Foster since arriving at Houston on loan from English club Burnley. He had a quiet evening up against compatriot Bongokuhle Hlongwane, whose Minnesota side are still chasing a playoff spot but effectively need to win their last three games of the season to stand any chance.
Also on Saturday, Mbekezeli Mbokazi returned to the Atlanta Stadium, where he played for Bafana Bafana during the World Cup in June to help Chicago Fire rally for a 3–2 victory over Atlanta United on Saturday night.
Mbokazi was booked late in a fractious encounter, but the win kept them in fourth place in the Eastern Conference. Puso Dithejane was again used as a second-half substitute with Houston already qualified for the post-season.