Dynamo 2sday: Dos take down St. Louis in penalty shootout
(image via Houston Dynamo FC)
Houston Dynamo 2 returned home this past weekend, after a tough defeat in Colorado, eager to regain their winning form from July. Their challenge was to face one of the top teams in the Western Conference, St. Louis City 2.
For this match, Kenny Bundy chose the following starting XI: Xavier Valdez returned in goal after his Olympic stint. The defense featured Isaac Mwakutuya, Femi Awodesu, Jefferson Medina-Obando, and Tate Schmitt, who continues to seek more minutes to rejoin the first-team rotation. In midfield were Jefferson Valverde, captain Diego Gonzalez, and Sebastian Rodriguez. Up front, Mattheo Dimareli, who has earned the coaching staff’s trust, Gabe Segal, coming off a strong July, and Ousmane Sylla led the attack.
The opening goal came from Segal with a powerful shot from 30-35 yards out, marking his sixth goal of the season and making him the top scorer for Dynamo Dos.
Despite Dynamo 2 dominating possession with 58% and outshooting St. Louis 22 to 6, the away side managed only one shot on target, which proved decisive. In the 74th minute, a rebound in the box fell to Hosei Kijima, who fired a left-footed strike past Valdez before he could react. The match ended with a 1-1 draw, sending it to a penalty shootout.
St. Louis shot first and Michael Wentzel hit the crossbar. Segal, Rodriguez, and Gonzalez made their penalties for Houston and Valdez made a save on Kijima. Schmitt took the decisive kick and buried it, giving Dynamo 2 the valuable extra point.
Houston secured the two points and continued their climb up the table towards a playoff spot. As Kenny Bundy stated after the game, “for this playoff push, we are going to need every point we can get.” It was a notable victory for Dynamo 2 against a top conference team.
Their next challenge is a Texas Derby matchup against North Texas SC in Dallas on Saturday, August 17 at 7:45 PM. The match will be available for free on MLS Season Pass on Apple TV. #VamosDos
