FULLERTON, Calif. (March 24, 2024) – Houston Dynamo 2 dropped their first road game of the season after a 3-2 loss to LAFC 2 earlier this afternoon in Fullerton, California.
Los Angeles took the lead in the 16th minute after Érik Dueñas capitalized on a turnover near midfield and found Nathan Ordaz at the edge of the box. Ordaz found the bottom corner of the far post for the first goal of the game.
Dynamo 2 equalized in the 29th minute after Exon Arzu won a duel in the opposing half and dribbled into the box. The Honduran forward dribbled past the goalkeeper and his shot rolled across the goal line from a tight angle for his second goal of the year.
Stephen Annor scored the go-ahead goal in the final moments of the first half, his first goal for the team. The forward capitalized on a pass intended for the LAFC 2 goalkeeper and intercepted the ball inside the box, Annor finished in front of an empty net for his first goal as a professional.
LAFC was awarded a penalty kick in the 64th minute after referee Dion Cox called a handball on defender Omar Grey. Luis Müller converted the ensuing penalty kick for the equalizer. The local side took the lead in the 78th minute following an own goal. Bajung Darboe hit the crossbar and a Dynamo defender attempted to clear the rebound, but his effort bounced into the back of the net.
Houston’s first opportunity of the game came in the fourth minute after Exon Arzu dribbled into the box and found Zeke Soto near the penalty spot, but his shot was saved by the LAFC 2 goalkeeper.
Dynamo 2 goalkeeper Nico Hansen made his debut today and was called into action in the eighth minute when he denied Aidan Martin at the near post. The goalkeeper finished with five saves against LAFC 2 today. Hansen is one of seven Dynamo 2 players that joined the first team throughout the preseason to prepare for the 2024 campaign.
The Dynamo forced a save moments later following a corner kick from captain Diego Gonzalez. The captain found Gray at the near post, but his header was handled by the LAFC 2 goalkeeper.
The LAFC 2 backline blocked a shot from Isaiah Reid at the 22nd minute and the rebound fell to Soto at the edge of the box, but his effort was off target and went wide of the far post.
Dynamo 2 returns to SaberCats Stadium on Thursday, March 28 to host Austin FC II. All Dynamo 2 matches at SaberCats Stadium are free and open to the public this season. For additional information, visit HoustonDynamoFC.com.
