Houston Dynamo 2 remain undefeated at home after a 2-0 victory over Colorado Rapids 2 at AVEVA Stadium this evening.
Dynamo 2 defender and captain Talen Maples broke through in the 27th minute with a goal that came as a Houston corner kick was headed away by a Colorado defender and to the chest of Maples. The centerback got the ball under control at his feet and smashed a shot past the keeper to give the Dynamo a 1-0 lead. This is the defender’s second goal of the season, with his first coming two weeks ago in the team’s 3-2 victory over North Texas SC.
Diego Gonzalez scored the final goal of the match in second half stoppage time when he capitalized on a loose ball just outside the box. The midfielder dribbled into the penalty area and beat the Colorado goalkeeper at the near post for his second goal of the season.
Midfielder Marcelo Palomino recorded the first scoring opportunity of the game in the 16th minute, as he lined up for a free kick in front of the goal outside of the 18-yard-box. Palomino nearly scored his second free kick goal of the season, but the goalkeeper was able to block the shot and avert the danger.
On the ensuing corner kick, the ball fell to the feet of forward Papa N’Doye, who created space on the right side of goal and got a shot off that forced the goalkeeper into a diving save.
Colorado Rapids 2 nearly broke through in the 59th minute, as their attacker got away on a break with only one Houston defender back. They got a shot off but it was gobbled up by goalkeeper Xavier Valdez, who kept his fourth clean sheet of the season.
Valdez was called into action again in the 79th minute, this time to deny Yosuke Hanya’s effort at the near post. The Dynamo 2 backline cleared the corner kick that followed and minutes later defender Jathan Juarez tested his luck from outside the box, but his effort missed the mark.
Dynamo 2 will be back on the road next weekend when they travel to Minnesota to face MNUFC2 on Saturday, May 14 at 5:00 p.m. For tickets and additional information, visit HoustonDynamoFC.com.
