Versatility pays for Dynamo’s Lawrence Ennali

HOUSTON — Almost a year after returning from a knee injury that derailed his 2024 season, Lawrence Ennali hasn’t just worked his way back from injury. The Houston Dynamo FC winger has embraced new tactical demands.

On Saturday night, the 2025 MLS Comeback Player of the Year finalist’s versatility and willingness to learn new positions paid off. Lining up at a different position didn’t stop Ennali from delivering the most decisive moment.

The German forward controlled a bouncing ball outside the 18-yard box and blasted a shot from nearly 30 yards into the back of the net, lifting the Dynamo to a 1–0 victory over the Colorado Rapids.

“Every goal feels special, this one especially,” Ennali said of his blast in the 72nd minute. “I hope there’s a lot more to come, like a lot more goals that I can score like that. I usually don’t shoot the ball a lot, but I think I’m gonna … hit some from now on.”

Building on 2025 comeback

Ennali, 24, made 70 appearances (40 starts) in Europe with Hannover 96, Rot‑Weiss Essen and Górnik Zabrze.

He joined the Dynamo in July 2024 on a full transfer from Górnik Zabrze, becoming the club’s U22 Initiative signing. He appeared in five matches that year and scored his first MLS goal against LAFC before a knee injury ended his season. Ennali returned on May 31, 2025, making 18 appearances with one goal and four assists.

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“He’s had a lot to digest, and this is an attacking guy,” Dynamo coach Ben Olsen said of Ennali. “He’s a winger by trade. We’ve asked different things of him, and he’s been open-minded about it. And I think he’s been good in a lot of those spots. 

“But today it was his best performance. Wasn’t even close. Defensively, the amount of times he was able to deal with the duels out wide and being in possession and joining the attack when the game told him to was, I felt, pretty impressive.”

‘Fantastic goal’

Midfielder Diadie Samassekou praised the quality of the goal. He acknowledged he didn’t see that kind of finish coming from a player who doesn’t typically attempt those shots. That’s why, he explained, players must shoot when the moment feels right.

Lawrence from downtown 🤯 pic.twitter.com/ot0U2gZFQi

— Houston Dynamo FC (@HoustonDynamo) May 3, 2026

“It was a fantastic goal,“ Samassekou said. “I was surprised because it’s not his type of quality. That’s why I say if you have time and space you got to take your chance.”

“And today it worked for him. I’m happy for him because he worked really hard during the game. He played as left back. It’s not easy for a winger, but he did the job. He has to get more goals for sure.”

^{Featured art courtesy of Houston Dynamo.}