Dynamo 2sday: Dos lose rivalry game, put playoffs in jeopardy
(image via Houston Dynamo FC)
Houston Dynamo 2 hosted in state rivals North Texas SC this past Sunday at SaberCats Stadium, and let’s just say that it wasn’t what everyone was expecting or wanting. Houston was coming off a huge a 3-1 victory in Portland where the squad seemed inspired to continue the success last season. Coming into this last home match of the season, the team looked to finish with a bang and a victory against their rivals.
On the other side, the already eliminated North Texas SC was coming off a home defeat against the best team in the Western Conference, Colorado Rapids 2. As the famous saying in Spanish countries goes, “los clasicos no se juegan, se ganan”, which translates to “derbies are not meant to be just played but played to win” and that is exactly what North Texas SC had in mind with the added plus of potentially ruining the playoff hopes for their in-state foes.
The home team would strike first in the match. Papa Ndoye was able to get to the back post and meet a low cross from Talen Maples to put Houston up 1-0 in the 29th minute. The first half did not have any more goals but the second half would be all for the visitors.
Herbert Endeley drove the ball almost the entire length of the Dynamo’s half and entered the box. The North Texas SC player found Jose Mulato on the back post unmarked and played a beautiful cross to his feet. Mulato just needed to put a soft touch to the ball to make the score 1-1 in the 59th minute..
In the 67th minute of play, North Texas SC found the second goal from a corner kick. Substitute Diego Garcia played a ball to the near post and Henri Santos beat everyone on the run to head the ball inches away from the post and into the net. The vistors grabbed the 2-1 lead in the Houston heat.
The final dagger against the boys in Orange would come in the 75th off a really great finish from Tomas Pondeca. After a long ball from goalkeeper Antonio Carrera, Dylan Lacy brought the ball down and after a few nice touches, dropped a pass at the top of the box. Pondeca opened up his foot and placed the ball next to the right post of Dynamo goalkeeper Andrew Tarbell. The veteran keeper flew to get a hand on it but couldn’t get close to it. North Texas had a 3-1 lead and would take home the three points.
After the high of the win in Portland, everyone in Houston wanted this victory, not only because of the Texas bragging rights but also the importance of the three points. The Dynamo, especially, needed the points since they still had the chance to cement themselves into a playoff spot.
“Fantastic first half, we created a number of chances and pressed really well,” Dynamo 2 head coach Kenny Bundy said after the match. “First, a lot of mistakes, didn't finish enough but went into halftime one-nil up and then we came out soft in the second half. We came out slow, we came out looking leggy. We were not ready to match the intensity that they brought. It's a learning moment, as always, but it's happened too many times.”
Currently, Dynamo 2 sit outside of the playoff picture with 40 points, 2 points below San Jose Earthquakes II and 3 points below Minnesota United FC 2. With one last game to be played, the last match week of the regular season promises to be very intense, and all eyes will be split three ways. All three teams contending for those playoff spots will be playing at the same time versus different opponents. Earthquakes II will host the eliminated LAFC2. MNUFC2 will visit the already top-seeded Colorado Rapids 2. Lastly, Dynamo Dos will travel to Los Angeles to take on the also eliminated LA Galaxy 2. Houston will need a win and to get help from the other matches. All of these matches will take place on Sunday, September 24th, at 4 PM on Apple TV - MLS Season Pass.
Lastly, I leave you with what we could expect from Bundy and his squad this weekend. “The bottom line is they need to realize that their only concern is about them,” Bundy said. “Be their best. Don’t worry about the outside noise, don't worry about the fact that we're two points out of a playoff spot because, you look at it and a loss from either team, San Jose or Minnesota and a win from us, that earns us a playoff spot. We are sitting in one of the best situations we could be in, but nothing matters if we don't win. So, what's the focus? It's about being our best, putting our best effort out there and going to LA in search of three points.”
Vamos los Pibes!!! Houston Contra Todos!!!
