Dynamo 2sday: Dos take point from road trip to Portland
(image via Portland Timbers)
Houston Dynamo 2 ventured to the Pacific Northwest for a clash against Portland Timbers 2 on Friday night. Eager for redemption following a tough defeat to Tacoma Defiance, the team started off on a strong note. With Xavier Valdez still with the first team, Nico Hansen resumed his position as the starting goalkeeper. The defensive lineup saw a change, with 18-year-old Colombian Jefferson Medina Obando stepping in, shifting Isaac Mwakutuya to the right. Femi Awodesu and Kieran Sargeant rounded out the back four. In midfield, Diego Gonzalez, Sebastian Rodriguez, and Ousmane Sylla were the three, while Gabe Segal joined Ifu Achara and Exon Arzu in the attacking lineup.
The match ignited in the 10th minute when Portland capitalized on a free kick, with Josh Penn expertly slotting the ball into the top left corner, putting the home team in the lead.
Dynamo Dos seized their first big chance with a free kick of their own. Segal's precise strike found the net after a slight deflection, equalizing the score at 1-1. The first half concluded with little else of note, save for these two spectacular free kicks and sporadic attempts from both sides.
In the 63rd minute, Noah Santos of Portland found himself in a promising position, only to be denied by a crucial save from Hansen. The match remained deadlocked at 1-1 as both teams sought a breakthrough.
In the 74th minute, Hansen pulled off a spectacular save reminiscent of Zinedine Zidane's iconic volley in the 2002 Champions League final, preserving the Dynamo's chances with an acrobatic stop.
With seconds left in regulation time, Sylla's innocuous ball into the box turned into a goal-scoring opportunity, forcing Portland goalkeeper Trey Muse to concede a corner kick.
In the dying moments, Houston had a golden opportunity to snatch victory, but Achara failed to convert from close range. The match would be decided by a penalty shootout.
Gonzalez missed Houston’s first attempt, putting Dos at a disadvantage. Sawyer Jura missed Portland’s fifth attempt, which opened the door for Dynamo 2 to get back level. Sylla missed the next attempt, however, to end the shootout and give Portland the second point from the match.
Ultimately, Dynamo Dos returned to Houston with a hard-earned point, setting their sights on their next fixture against Sporting Kansas City II. That match will kick off Friday at 6 PM on the campus of Kansas University. Catch all the action on MLS on Apple TV. #VamosDos
