Houston Dynamo 2 returned to the top of the MLS NEXT Pro table with a 1-0 win on the road over Real Monarchs Wednesday night at Zions Bank Stadium. The win was the seventh in nine matches this season for Dynamo 2, putting them on a league-leading 22 points with a 7-1-1 record through two months of play.
Dynamo 2 defender Micael Dos Santos Silva, who joined the team almost a month ago, scored his first goal for the Club late in the second half to put Houston ahead of the Monarchs. After winning a corner kick on the far side of the pitch, midfielder Juan Castilla played the ball into the box that Dos Santos Silva buried in the back of the net.
Houston goalkeeper Logan Erb earned a clean sheet in his first start in goal for Dynamo Dos. Erb was credited with two saves in the match and helped the team record its fifth clean sheet this season.
Houston defender Ian Hoffman, who has played in every match this season for Dynamo 2, helped anchor the back line and had a crucial defensive stop to keep the score level at 0-0 in the 69th minute after the Monarchs’ attack was closing in into the six-yard box.
Ten minutes into the second half, Dynamo 2 was awarded a free kick at the edge of the penalty area. The resulting shot was on target at the far post but was cleared out for a corner kick. On the ensuing play, Houston had a dangerous shot stopped by Real Monarchs goalkeeper David Ochoa.
Midway through the first half, the Monarchs attack generated three shots with two being on target in a seven-minute span. However, the Dynamo 2 defense was able to clear the ball away and keep the score even.
Erb was first called into action in the 11th minute after a shot from Real Monarchs’ Christian Nydegger who took a shot. Erb easily handled the ball as he fell on top of the ball.
The Houston attack had another chance inside the penalty box after forward Joyner Castillo had a look toward the goal but was easily collected by the Salt Lake goalkeeper.
Houston had an early chance in the second minute after being awarded a free kick following a foul. Dynamo 2 was set a few yards back from the 18-yard box for the free kick. Houston’s attempted shot was blocked and cleared by the Monarchs back line.
Houston Dynamo 2 are back on the road next week as they visit St. Louis CITY 2 on Sunday, June 4. That match will be streamed live at MLSNEXTPro.com.
