Houston Dynamo 2 fell 2-1 to Tacoma Defiance earlier today at SaberCats Stadium to close a two-game homestand. Dynamo 2 were forced to play the final 20 minutes of the match with 10 men following an ejection due to a second yellow card to defender Isaiah LeFlore.
Houston took the lead after forward Beto Avila won a penalty kick in the 47th minute. The forward was brought down inside the box as he challenged for a cross from forward Nelson Quiñónes. Avila converted the ensuing penalty kick for his first goal of the season.
Tacoma scored the equalizer in the 70th minute from the penalty spot following a foul on Paul Rothrock. Hal Uderitz converted the penalty kick and that was the first shot on target for Tacoma in the game. The visitors scored in the 90th minute to claim all three points tonight.
Dynamo 2 applied pressure from the opening minute as they took the opening kickoff into the final third. Quiñónes had the first shot of the game and his effort in the opening minute just missed the inside of the near post.
Quiñónes was one of six players from the Dynamo first team to play tonight at SaberCats Stadium. The 22-year-old forced a save in the 22nd minute following a duel between a Tacoma defender and Avila. Quiñónes curled a shot toward the far post that was handled by goalkeeper Andrew Thomas.
Midfielder Jacob Evans won the ball inside the box to create an opportunity for defender Mujeeb Murana. The Dynamo Academy product controlled the ball at the far post to create space for a shot that was saved by Thomas.
LeFlore dribbled past a pair of Tacoma defenders to get into the box in the 27th minute, but his effort was blocked by a defender near the penalty spot. Dynamo 2 finished with 10 shots in the first half.
Defender Griffin Dorsey won the ball in Tacoma’s half of the field in the 36th minute to spark a dangerous opportunity for Dynamo 2. He played the ball into midfielder Diego Gonzalez, but his effort was eventually cleared by Tacoma.
The Dynamo tallied eight shots on target tonight with six coming in the second half. The team created two big chances against Tacoma and forced eight saves from Thomas.
Dynamo 2 begin a two-game road trip next Sunday when they visit Sporting Kansas City II. Kickoff is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. CT and the match will stream live on MLSNEXTPro.com. Dynamo 2 return to SaberCats Stadium on May 14 to host Real Monarchs.
