Three things we learned: Dynamo vs San Antonio FC
(image via Aldo Canale)
The Houston Dynamo played their first preseason scrimmage of 2025 on Saturday morning, hosting USL Championship side San Antonio FC at Houston Sports Park. The teams played to a 2-2 draw over 90 minutes. After each game this season we’re going to bring you three things we learned from the match. Here is our first edition after watching the Dynamo begin their preparation for the 2025 season.
The Dynamo played two different lineups in this match. The first eleven was Andrew Tarbell in goal, with a back four of Franco Escobar, Micael, Erik Sviatchenko, and Griffin Dorsey. The midfield three was Artur, Brooklyn Raines, and Amine Bassi, and the front three of Exon Arzu, Ezequiel Ponce, and Sebastian Kowalczyk. The second half lineup was comprised of Jimmy Maurer at goalkeeper behind a defense of Daniel Steres, Ethan Bartlow, Femi Awodesu, and MLS SuperDraft pick Bo Cummins. The midfield three was Dynamo 2 players Lukas Bruegmann and Diego Gonzalez, along with Homegrown Player Sebastian Rodriguez. The front three in the second half was Dynamo 2 winger Jordy Burbano, Gabe Segal, and Erik Dueñas.
Exon Arzu is very fast
Arzu got the start on the left wing for the Dynamo and assisted Griffin Dorsey’s opening goal just minutes into the match. The Honduran is not only fast, he’s a very physical player that isn’t afraid to defend. He made a couple of crunching tackles in the match in addition to being very active up and down the left wing. We found out after the match that Aliyu Ibrahim is out of the country dealing with his green card. With Nelson Quiñones and Lawrence Ennali coming back from injury, it will be Arzu and Aliyu on the left wing for the first half of the season. Arzu put out a good audition in the first test of 2025.
Erik Dueñas is a jack of all trades
Dueñas has played a number of positions in his young career. The 20-year-old has played across the midfield, and even spent some time at right back. Against San Antonio, in the second half, Dueñas played in the Coco Carrasquilla right wing role. Tucking inside while the right back gets forward, this role was very unique to the Dynamo system and will be tough to replace with Carrasquilla moving to Pumas in Liga MX. Dueñas was impressive in his first time playing the role, scoring the Dynamo’s second goal to equalize in the second half. Ben Olsen has spoken about the versatility Dueñas has and he showed that today. With Hector Herrera and Carrasquilla no longer in Houston, it will be up to young players like Dueñas and Brooklyn Raines to pick up the slack.
Andrew Tarbell is definitely the starting goalkeeper
If there was any still any doubt about who would replace Steve Clark as the starting goalkeeper, there shouldn’t be. Tarbell played with the starters and kept a clean sheet in the first half, although he was helped by a header wide when he came out prematurely for a corner kick. Free agent signing Jimmy Maurer played the second half and conceded twice, including one on a ball that was taken off of him in the back for San Antonio’s second goal. Olsen said after the match that he trusts Maurer and it’s something they will laugh off, something he is glad happened in the preseason. Tarbell will be between the posts for the Dynamo for most of 2025, while Maurer is the backup and gets the occasional cup game to start in.
