The Los Angeles Galaxy have signed Chris Rindov to a first-team contract to strengthen their defense ahead of their match against the Houston Dynamo. Rindov impressed during his time with Ventura County FC, earning him a spot on the first team. The Galaxy hope this addition will improve their struggling defense, while the Dynamo aim to continue their push for a playoff spot. Key players to watch include Ezequiel Ponce for Houston and Marco Reus for Los Angeles. The Dynamo are favored to win based on their home record and the Galaxy’s road struggles.
The Los Angeles Galaxy have addressed their defensive woes by officially signing Chris Rindov to a first-team contract. This move comes as the Galaxy prepare to face the Houston Dynamo in a crucial upcoming match. Rindov, a 23-year-old defender, has impressed the Galaxy coaching staff, earning himself a deal that extends through the 2026 season, with club options for both 2027 and 2028.
Rindov's journey to the first team began with Ventura County FC, the Galaxy's MLS Next Pro affiliate. His performances there led to a short-term agreement, allowing him to feature in the Galaxy's MLS victory over the Colorado Rapids and their Leagues Cup third-place contest against Orlando City. Now, he has solidified his place within the team's long-term plans.
The Galaxy's defense has been a significant concern this season, conceding a concerning 55 goals – the second-highest total in the Western Conference. The club hopes Rindov's addition will provide much-needed stability and resilience to their backline as they push to climb the standings. Head coach, Vanney, sees Rindov as a key piece in solidifying the team's defense.
"Since joining the Galaxy family with Ventura County FC, Chris has not only demonstrated an excellent work ethic and strong defensive instincts but has shown himself to be a selfless teammate and leader, willing to do anything to help his teams be successful," stated General Manager Will Kuntz. "His development is a testament to the great work being done by Matt Taylor and Gordon Kljestan to create a competitive environment that prepares our MLS NEXT Pro players for the challenges of MLS. We are excited to welcome Chris and look forward to watching him continue to develop and contribute to the Galaxy."
Chris Rindov is a G.
We have signed defender Chris Rindov to a first-team contract through the 2026 season with club options for 2027 and 2028
: https://t.co/sg0Fk0xOAZ | @kinecta pic.twitter.com/d2X5ipox6R
— LA Galaxy (@LAGalaxy) September 4, 2025
While the Galaxy are struggling at the bottom of the Western Conference, their upcoming opponents, the Houston Dynamo, are in a different position. The Dynamo are currently in 10th place, just three points shy of a playoff berth, currently held by the San Jose Earthquakes. The Dynamo recently broke a seven-game winless streak by defeating St. Louis City SC 3-2; however, their home form has been inconsistent, with their last home win dating back to June 29 (also against St. Louis).
Players to Watch:
Houston Dynamo – Ezequiel Ponce: Ezequiel Ponce has been a standout performer for Houston this season, leading the team with seven goals. Notably, three of those goals were the opening goals of the match, demonstrating his importance in setting the tone for the Dynamo. He also scored against the Galaxy in their most recent encounter.
Los Angeles Galaxy – Marco Reus: Marco Reus, a seasoned German midfielder, is the Galaxy's joint-top scorer in MLS this season with five goals. He has also contributed eight assists, highlighting his playmaking abilities. Reus has been in good form recently, scoring or assisting in three of his last four appearances in all competitions, including the opening goal against Orlando in the Leagues Cup.
Match Prediction: Houston Dynamo Win
The Galaxy's struggles on the road are well-documented. They are the only team in MLS without a road league victory in 2025 (D5 L9). Their winless streak in regular-season road matches stretches back to last season, totaling 15 games – tied for the team's second-longest such run. The Dynamo, on the other hand, have a good recent record at home against the Galaxy, winning their last two home matches. This is only the third time the team has won two or more consecutive home matches against LA (2018 and 2019), with the longest streak being four games from October 2011-July 2015.
Duane Holmes' recent game-winning goal against St. Louis City, his first in MLS, underscores the Dynamo's ability to find goals from various sources. Since last June, 11 different Dynamo players have scored as substitutes in MLS matches, showcasing their squad depth.
In their last six league games, Houston have won two, drawn one, and lost three. The Galaxy's form is similar, with two wins, two draws, and two losses in their last six matches.
Opta Win Probability:
Houston Dynamo – 47.5%
Draw – 26.2%
Los Angeles Galaxy – 26.3%