Dynamo 2sday: Dos season comes to an end with playoff loss
(image via The Town FC)
Houston Dynamo 2 faced the end of the road this past Sunday, falling 2-1 to The Town FC in the MLS NEXT Pro Conference Quarterfinals.
Houston entered the playoffs for the third consecutive year, finishing eighth in the Western Conference after a nail-biting Decision Day. North Texas SC and St. Louis CITY 2 had the option to select Houston for their playoff match but chose other teams. Ultimately, The Town FC, the third-seeded team, selected Houston as their opponent. This matchup was intriguing, as the two teams had met only once in the regular season, ending in a 1-1 draw, with Houston claiming an extra point in a penalty shootout.
The match, on Sunday afternoon in Moraga, California, was chippy and evenly contested, as expected in a playoff game. Referee Muhammad Hassan issued a total of 7 yellow cards for 42 fouls committed by both teams, highlighting the physical nature of such encounters.
The home team struck first in the 29th minute, as Cruz Medina set up Beau Leroux with a deft touch, allowing Leroux to find the top corner of Xavier Valdez’s goal with a wide-open shot inside the box.
As the first half drew to a close, Gabe Segal delivered a fine pass to Kieran Sargeant in the box. Sargeant's shot was blocked by The Town goalkeeper Emmanuel Ochoa, but the deflection landed at the feet of 15-year-old Matthew Dimareli, who found the back of the net. This goal allowed Houston to equalize and gave them a chance to pull off an upset in the second half.
The second half was also tightly contested, with both sides pushing for a go-ahead goal while remaining cautious not to concede. The Town FC had another great opportunity in the final 10 minutes, as Edwyn Mendoza played a beautiful ball to Joel Garcia inside the box. Garcia blasted a shot into the far corner, securing victory for the home team.
Houston pressed hard in the closing minutes for an equalizer to send the game into extra time, but The Town’s defense held strong.
Despite the loss, which marked the end of the 2024 season, there were many bright spots for the Houston team, showcasing the promising future of the Dynamo Academy and its potential to produce talented homegrown players.
The 2024 roster for Dynamo Dos was one of the youngest in MLS NEXT Pro, featuring players from birth years 2017, 2018, and 2019 who collectively logged 6,828 minutes.
Eight players who appeared in this match were Houston Academy players or alumni. Notably, Dimareli scored the goal, and Diego Gonzalez wore the captain’s armband. Sargeant made 26 appearances this season, with 23 starts, while Daniel Barrett, Jahmani Bell, and Ifeanyi Udanoh gained valuable experience. Isaac Mwakutuya, also an Academy product, participated in the All-Star match earlier this season and logged 2,231 minutes—the most for a player from the 2007 class. Gonzalez ended the season with 10 assists, tying for the most in the regular season and earned a spot on the MLS NEXT Pro Best XI. Sebastian Rodriguez recorded 2,164 minutes, the second-most for a 2007 class player. Isaiah Reid, who was drafted last year, also played a big role on this team, whether starting or providing a spark off the bench.
The team also benefited from contributions by first-year players. Hermann Trophy winner Ousmane Sylla finished the season with 7 goals and 5 assists, while Gabe Segal led the team with 10 goals. Femi Awodesu made 28 appearances, and Stephen Annor Gyamfi contributed with 3 goals and 1 assist.
International players also played a key role in the 2024 roster, including Exon Arzu, Andy Batioja, Jefferson Valverde, Jefferson Medina Obando, Josue, and Jordy Burbano.
Finally, I want to highlight the outstanding performances of Valdez, who not only defended the goal for the Dynamo but also represented the Dominican Republic, and Nico Defreitas, who stepped up when needed.
The future looks bright for soccer in Houston. As we know, a strong academy is vital for any professional team in building its culture and success. Thank you to the players and staff for a great 2024 season; we look forward to the future of Houston Dynamo Dos.
As always, ¡VAMOS LOS PIBES!
