Dynamo 2sday: Dos earn first point of the season
(image via North Texas SC)
Houston Dynamo Dos traveled to Choctaw Stadium Sunday to take on in-state rivals North Texas SC. A Houston team still seeking its first win of the season faced off against a North Texas SC squad undefeated within 90 minutes. The only advantage for Houston going into this match was their unbeaten record in Arlington against their rival since the inception of MLS NEXT Pro.
The starting XI for the Orange featured Xavier Valdez in goal, with Kieran Sargeant, Isaac Mwakutuya, Femi Awodesu, and David Ndong Nguema comprising the back four. Brooklyn Raines, Diego Gonzalez, and Ousmane Sylla formed the midfield, while Ifu Achara, Gabe Segal, and Exon Arzu led the attack.
The home team seized the first opportunity early in the 9th minute when Isaiah Parker delivered a cross, finding Enes Sali unmarked at the back post. His header went up and over Valdez to open the scoring for North Texas SC.
The remainder of the first half remained relatively stagnant, with both teams attempting to press forward but seeing most of the action congested in midfield with minimal threat from either side. However, the second half promised more excitement.
Early in the second half, Arzu made a threatening run down the right flank and delivered a dangerous cross that forced the NTSC goalkeeper Michael Collodi to tip it away for a corner. Houston seemed rejuvenated, determined to mount a comeback and make things difficult for the home team.
In the 53rd minute, Diego García capitalized on a cross from Tarik Scott, scoring with a one-touch finish to double the lead for North Texas SC. It appeared Dynamo Dos was destined for another defeat.
However, Houston managed to pull one back almost immediately on a near-perfect counterattack. Sylla drove the ball forward and found Achara on the left. His attempted pass to Arzu was deflected by defender Nico Gordon into his own net, giving Dynamo 2 a lifeline in the 62nd minute and making the score 2-1.
Just moments later, in the 63rd minute, Valdez made a crucial save in a one-on-one situation against Pedrinho, preserving Dynamo Dos' chance to equalize.
Houston continued to press for the equalizer, with Achara narrowly missing the target in the 70th minute. The Orange squad maintained high pressure and ball possession, aiming to emulate the tactics of the first team as advocated by their head coach Kenny Bundy.
Their persistence paid off when a set-piece in the dying minutes of the game led to a dangerous rebound inside the six-yard box. Sargeant was there to convert it into a late equalizer, in the 88th minute, forcing the match into a penalty shootout.
The penalty shootout saw the first nine players all make their attempts. Segal, Sylla, Sargeant, and Sebastian Rodriguez all scored for Houston. North Texas made their five and the Dynamo’s fifth taker, Annor, missed to give the home side the additional point.
North Texas emerged victorious in the penalty shootout, maintaining their unbeaten streak, while Houston Dynamo 2 earned their first point of the season but fell short of securing two. Nevertheless, the spirited effort to level the score and force a shootout is a positive sign for future matches.
Next up, Dynamo 2 will visit new club The Town FC as they continue their quest for their first victory within regulation time. Though the progress may be gradual, it is progress nonetheless. Don’t miss the action on either Apple MLS Season Pass or the MLS Next Pro YouTube channel. VAMOS DOS!
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