Houston Dynamo 2 earned their first clean sheet of the season in their 2-0 victory over St. Louis CITY 2 at SaberCats Stadium earlier this evening. The team has now won back-to-back games and earned points from their last four matches. Tonight’s victory was also the first at SaberCats Stadium this season and the first of two games at the venue this week.
Houston took the lead in the 12th minute following a recovery from captain Diego Gonzalez near midfield. The Dynamo Academy product played the ball to Ifu Achara inside the box. Achara dribbled toward the near post to create space for an oncoming Exon Arzu, who found the bottom corner of the near post for his third goal of the season.
Houston doubled their lead in the 62nd minute following a free kick from Gonzalez. Achara forced a clearance inside the box and the ball fell to Dynamo Academy player Maddox Findlay for his first goal of the season. Findlay was one of eight Dynamo Academy players or alums to take the field tonight for Dynamo 2.
Houston’s first opportunity of the game came in the 16th minute after defender Kieran Sargeant found Gonzalez inside the box, but his header was saved at the near post by the St. Louis goalkeeper.
Dynamo 2 goalkeeper Xavier Valdez was well positioned in the 36th minute to deny Brendan McSorley at the near post. The Dynamo goalkeeper finished with three saves against St. Louis tonight.
Gonzalez forced a save moments later after Houston was awarded a free kick in St. Louis’ half of the field. The Dynamo Academy product placed the ball at the bottom corner of the near post for his second shot on goal of the first half. Gonzalez was tied with Sargeant and David Nguema for the most chances created tonight with two per player.
Houston’s first opportunity of the second half came off the right foot of midfielder Brooklyn Raines, but his effort just missed the inside of the right post in the 48th minute.
The woodwork denied Houston on two occasions in the second half, first a shot from Ousmane Sylla in the 62nd minute. The post denied Houston again in the 77th minute, this time following an effort by Achara prior to leaving the match.
Dynamo 2 return to SaberCats Stadium on May 26 to close the two-game homestand against Tacoma Defiance. Tickets for that match and all Dynamo Dos matches at SaberCats Stadium are free and available HERE.
