Dynamo 2sday: Dos lose two goal lead and penalty shootout
(image via Houston Dynamo FC)
Houston Dynamo 2 hosted Ventura County FC, formerly known as LA Galaxy II, this past weekend in a crucial matchup with playoff implications for both teams. Houston, sitting in 8th place, sought three valuable points to potentially create some distance between themselves and the teams trailing behind them.
Adding to the significance of this match, head coach Kenny Bundy was named interim assistant coach for the first team during the week leading up to this game. Dynamo Academy U-15 head hoach Jeremy Hurdle stepped in as Dynamo 2’s interim head coach for this match and the remaining four games of the season.
Houston began the match with Nico Hansen in goal, supported by Tate Schmitt, Jefferson Medina, Femi Awodesu, and Isaac Mwakutuya in the back line. Jefferson Valverde, Diego Gonzalez, who was aiming for his 10th assist of the season, and Brooklyn Raines formed the midfield. Ousmane Sylla, Stephen Annor, who would hit the post a few times, and Mattheo Dimareli led the attack.
Gonzalez had a standout performance, scoring a brace for Houston in the first half. His first goal came from a penalty he earned himself. After maneuvering around Ventura County’s goalkeeper, he was fouled in the box, and the referee awarded the penalty.
Gonzalez’s second goal arrived just before halftime. Sylla pressured the center back, intercepting a pass and creating a rebound opportunity for Gonzalez, who finished confidently to double his tally in just 45 minutes.
Heading into halftime, Dynamo Dos looked strong with a 2-0 lead and several near-misses by other players. It seemed they needed only to protect their lead and possibly add a third or fourth goal to improve their playoff standings. However, Ventura County FC had other plans.
Fighting their own playoff battle, Ventura County needed points, especially with their crosstown rivals hot on their trail. They came out with renewed energy in the second half. Former Dynamo 2 forward Ifu Achara assisted their first goal, a curler from Ruben Ramos. It’s worth noting that the play might have started with a handball by Achara, but without VAR, the play was not reviewed.
About twenty minutes later, the “Ley Del Ex,” or “law of the ex,” came into effect. This law suggests that players returning to face their former teams often score. Achara, though loaned rather than traded, fulfilled this law by scoring with a stunning bicycle kick, leveling the match and sending it to a penalty shootout.
In the shootout, substitute Kieran Sargeant missed the third penalty for Houston, but Hansen kept Dynamo 2 in the game by saving Ventura County’s fifth penalty. Sylla stepped up for the fifth and final shot but struck the crossbar. The rebound fell back to him, but the visitors ultimately secured the final point and continued their push for a top-four finish.
Dynamo 2 now face a challenging situation. Although they did not drop in the standings, four teams are closing in on them. Their next match is crucial as they travel to face Austin FC II, who are just two points behind Houston in the standings. The game will take place this Friday at 8 PM. As always, you can catch the match on MLS on Apple TV or MLSNextPro.com. Until then, #VamosDos!
