HOUSTON (Aug. 25, 2024) – Houston Dynamo 2 closed a two-game homestand with a 3-1 victory over Minnesota United FC 2 at SaberCats Stadium earlier today. This was the second consecutive victory of the week for Dynamo 2 and the team has earned three points in all three games against Minnesota this season.
Minnesota took the lead in 33rd minute after defender Finn McRobb found Jordan Adebayo-Smith at the back post. McRobb received a cross inside the box and played the ball to his teammate for Minnesota’s lone goal of the match.
Houston equalized in the 38th minute following an own goal by McRobb. Isaac Mwakutuya played a cross towards the center of the box, where the Minnesota defender intended to clear the ball but ultimately scored the equalizer.
Forward Gabe Segal gave Houston the lead in the 53rd minute following a brilliant pass from midfielder Jeferson Valverde. The Ecuadorian midfielder dribbled by two Minnesota defenders and found Segal on a run inside the box. Segal created space for a shot and calmly chipped it over the keeper for his first goal of the match.
Houston added to the lead six minutes later with an extraordinary goal from Segal. The 23-year-old controlled a pass from defender Femi Awodesu inside the box before flicking the ball behind him with an acrobatic shot towards goal to score his ninth goal of the season.
Houston’s first opportunity of the match came in the 10th minute after being awarded a free kick just outside the box. Segal stepped up and took the free kick, hitting the crossbar.
Captain Diego Gonzalez played a quick through ball into the center of the box minutes later, finding midfielder Ousmane Sylla. The midfielder controlled the ball and intended to round the keeper, but the visiting goalkeeper got his fingertips on the ball to stop the threat.
Segal generated another scoring opportunity for Houston in the 41st minute with a left-footed flick that went over a defender to find defender Kieran Sargeant. The defender received the ball inside the box and found himself in a one-and-one situation with the keeper. Sargeant was able to get a shot off towards goal, but his effort hit the left post.
Dynamo 2 goalkeeper Xavier Valdez was called into action in the 47th minute to deny a left-footed blast from Enrique Nieves. The Dynamo 2 goalkeeper finished with three saves against Minnesota tonight.
Sargeant tried put himself on the scoring sheet again in the 50th minute with a shot that forced a Minnesota save and another one a minute later, with a header towards the far post that found the keeper’s hands.
Houston’s last opportunity of the match came in the 83rd minute when forward Mattheo Dimareli got past a Minnesota defender with a quick stepover before firing a shot that was blocked by the Minnesota backline.
Dynamo 2 will next host Ventura County FC on Sunday, Sept. 8, at SaberCats Stadium before hitting the road and facing Austin FC II on Friday, Sept. 13 at Parmer Field. Tickets for that home match are free and available HERE.
