HOUSTON (March 17, 2024) – Houston Dynamo 2 opened the 2024 MLS NEXT Pro season with a 2-1 loss at home to Sporting KC II tonight. This is the third season for the Houston Dynamo FC affiliate and the team has qualified for the postseason in back-to-back campaigns.
Dynamo 2 forward Exon Arzu *scored the first goal of the year in the 48th minute. Midfielder Ousmane Sylla found the Honduran forward in transition, and the 19-year-old found the bottom corner of the far post. Sylla is one of four first team players to join Dynamo 2 for today’s game. The MAC Hermann Trophy winner was drafted by the first team with the No. 55 overall pick in the second round of the 2024 MLS SuperDraft.
Sporting Kansas City scored the equalizer in the 82nd minute after Sebastian Cruz forced a save from Dynamo goalkeeper Xavier Valdez. The rebound fell to Beto Avila for his first goal with the club. Avila is a Houston Dynamo Academy product and spent last year in the USL Championship with the Charleston Battery.
Pau Vidal scored the game-winning goal in the 87th minute after Roberto Hategan forced a save from Valdez at the near post. Videl capitalized on the loose ball for his first goal of the season.
Arzu won a penalty kick in the 52nd minute after he was brought down inside the box. Midfielder Diego Gonzalez took the ensuing penalty kick, but his effort was saved at the bottom of the right post.
Arzu forced the first save of the game in the 18th minute at the near post. Gonzalez found the Honduran winger unmarked, but a defender was able to get a touch on the ball as it rolled to Kansas City goalkeeper Ryan Schewe. Arzu joined Dynamo 2 on loan earlier this year after beginning his professional career with Real Club Deportivo España in Honduras.
Arzu won a free kick in Kansas City’s half of the field following a foul from Jonathan Robinson in the 25th minute.Gonzalez took free kick and found Isaiah Ried inside the box. Reid’s header fell to Stephen Annor, but his shot was saved at the near post by Schwew. Houston would test the goalkeeper again following a corner kick moments later, but he was able to handle Annor’s header.
Valdez made a save in the 35th minute when he handled a free kick from Ethan Bryant at the near post. Valdez finished with four saves against Kansas City today and will depart for national team duty next week. The Dynamo Academy product will represent the Dominican Republic in two friendlies against Peru and Aruba.
Forward Ifu Achara entered the game in the 61st minute and forced a clearance at the near post following a dangerous pass from Sylla inside the box.
Dynamo 2 travel to California next weekend for the first road trip of the season. The team will face LAFC 2 on Sunday, March 24 and fans can follow the action on MLS Season Pass. 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.
