HOUSTON (July 28, 2024) – Houston Dynamo 2 earned a 2-1 victory over LAFC 2 at SaberCats Stadium tonight behind forward Gabe Segal’s second consecutive brace.
Dynamo Dos have now won three consecutive matches, while scoring eight goals and conceding only one over that stretch.
Segal opened scoring in the 17th minute with a long-range free kick that was placed inside the top left corner of goal out of reach of goalkeeper Thomas Hasal. The play marked 23-year-old’s fourth goal of the season for Dos, while he has also found the back of the net twice for the first team this season.
Houston doubled its lead in the 57th minute with another strong shot from Segal. The American attacker fired a ball into the top right corner of the net from outside of the box that was again out of reach of Hasal. Captain Diego Gonzalez recorded his eighth assist of the season on the play.
LAFC 2 found the back of the net in the 82nd minute when Adrian Aguilar switched play to Nick Sullivan down the right side, who then managed a tight angled chip over goalkeeper Nico Hansen.
Los Angeles had a chance to equalize the score in second half stoppage time when they were awarded a penalty, however, Hansen stepped up to make the save and secure another three points for Houston.
Forward Mattheo Dimareli had the first dangerous chance of the match, firing a low shot from the left side that forced Hasal to make a stop at the near post.
Houston had another scoring opportunity in the eighth minute when a set piece delivery found Segal, who flicked the ball towards goal to force a quick reaction stop from Hasal.
Hansen stepped up in the 22nd minute to quell the danger of an oncoming Los Angeles attack from the right side. Hansen ended the night with three saves.
Segal had another chance on goal in the 32nd minute when he tried to head a delivery from the left side on goal, but his quick flick went just wide of the far post.
Segal almost netted a second goal again in the 41st minute, hitting the right post on a direct free kick from distance.
Hansen stepped up to make a save in the early minutes of the second half, gathering a Los Angeles shot into his chest that came from the edge of the box. Minutes later, the goalkeeper’s sure hands stopped another strong Los Angeles shot.
Dynamo 2 travel to Denver next weekend to face the Colorado Rapids 2 on Saturday, Aug. 3. Dynamo 2 return to SaberCats Stadium on Sunday, Aug. 11 to host St. Louis CITY SC 2. Tickets for that match, and all Dynamo 2 games are free and available HERE.
