ARLINGTON, Texas (April 28, 2024) – Houston Dynamo 2 earned its first point of the 2024 MLS NEXT Pro campaign after scoring two unanswered goals to force a shootout. North Texas claimed the extra point following a 5-4 triumph in the shootout after Houston missed the fifth and final attempt from the penalty spot.
North Texas took the lead in the ninth minute after Isaiah Parker found Enes Sali at the far post. The FC Dallas affiliate extended its lead in the 53rd minute after a turnover in Houston’s half of the field led to a goal by Diego García.
Dynamo 2 cut into the lead in the 62nd minute after Ousmane Sylla won the ball in the defensive third of the field. The MAC Hermann trophy winner played the ball to forward Ifu Achara in transition and his cross into the box forced a clearance from Nico Gordon, that found the back of the net for Houston’s first goal of the match.
Houston equalized in the 88th minute after forward Exon Arzu won a free kick just outside the box. Dynamo 2 captain Diego Gonzalez played a cross into the box that was initially handled by the North Texas goalkeeper, but he lost control of the ball inside the six yard box. Dynamo Academy alum Kieran Sargent was well positioned to score his first goal of the season and force the shootout.
Dynamo 2 goalkeeper Xavier Valdez made his first save of the game in the 14th minute. The goalkeeper was well positioned to handle Pedrinho’s first-touch effort at the bottom corner of the far post. Valdez finished with five saves against North Texas SC tonight.
Midfielder Brooklyn Raines was fouled in the 28th minute of the match, giving Dynamo 2 a free kick from about 20 yards out. Gonzalez took the ensuing free kick and narrowly missed two Dynamo attackers who were making runs toward the far post.
Achara had one of Houston’s best attempts of the first half in the 34th minute after midfielder David Nguema found the veteran forward in space. Achara was able to get a shot off, but Collodi ultimately made the save to preserve the lead for the local side.
On the opposite side of the ball, Sargeant made a key save in the 37th minute to keep Houston within one goal before the halfway mark. North Texas SC won possession and looked to capitalize in transition, ultimately playing the ball to Pedrinho. The forward was open inside the six-yard box and created space for a shot that was cleared by Sargeant. The Dynamo Academy product finished with three clearances and two interceptions against North Texas.
Achara had an opening to score the equalizer in the 70th minute after he found space on the left flank in transition. The striker made a diagonal run toward goal and took a shot as NTSC defenders were closing in, but his effort was just wide of the far post.
Dynamo 2 continue their four-game road trip on Friday, May 3 when they face The Town FC at PayPal Park in San Jose, Calif. The team returns to SaberCats Stadium on May 22 to host St. Louis CITY SC II. Tickets for that match and all Dynamo 2 games at SaberCats Stadium are free and available HERE.
