MORAGA, Calif. (May 3, 2024) – Houston Dynamo 2 forced a shootout and claimed two points against The Town FC earlier tonight at Saint Mary’s College of California.
The Town FC took the lead in the opening minutes of the second half after Riley Lynch found Roka Tsunehara inside the box.
Dynamo 2 captain Diego Gonzalez gave Houston life in the final moments of the game after his shot from the top the 18-yard box zipped past TTFC goalkeeper Mikolaj Bieganski. The equalizer forced the second consecutive shootout for Dynamo 2 in this four-game road trip.
Dynamo 2 goalkeeper Xavier Valdez made a pair of key saves to help Dynamo 2 earn a pair of points away from home. He was called into action in the opening second of the match after The Town FC’s Oscar Verhoeven took a shot from the top of the 18-yard box. The Dynamo shot stopper was well positioned to handle the ball for the first of two saves in regulation.
Dynamo 2 was awarded a free kick after TTFC defender Jamar Ricketts committed a foul that also earned him a yellow card in the 11th minute of the match. Gonzalez took the ensuing free kick that forced a TTFC defender to clear the ball out for a corner kick.
Dynamo Academy player Maddox Findlay kept the ball in play on the endline in the 16th minute and his hustle helped Houston create an opportunity in the final third. Findlay found forward Ifu Achara open in the penalty area. The veteran striker created space to take a shot on goal, forcing TTFC goalkeeper Mikolaj Bieganski to make the first of three saves tonight.
Homegrown midfielder Brooklyn Raines nearly gave Houston the lead heading into the half. The midfielder found an opening to take a shot and catch Bieganski off his line. Raines’ shot was just wide of the near post and cleared for a corner kick.
Forward Exon Arzu nearly put Dynamo Dos up at the start of the second half. Houston had an advantage in transition, which included Arzu on the left flank. The Honduran’s shot hit the outside netting on the near post.
Houston nearly equalized in the 58th minute after TTFC’s Edwin Mendoza nearly scored an own goal on an errant back pass that forced Bieganski to sprint and clear the ball before going into the back of his own net. The error nearly marked the second consecutive week that Dynamo 2’s pressure forced an own goal.
The biggest opportunity of the night came from forward Ousmane Sylla in the 69th minute after his attempt was saved from point-blank range. Sylla, the reigning MAC Herman Trophy winner, maintained perfect control of the ball under pressure and took a shot on goal saved by the TTFC goalkeeper.
Arzu had another opening during the second minute of second half stoppage time to help Dynamo Dos score the equalizer. Arzu’s cross into the box was punched away by Bieganski who had an active night in goal for The Town FC.
Dynamo 2 will close their four-game road trip in Sandy, Utah on Wednesday, May 8 when they face Real Monarchs at 9 p.m. CT. The team returns to SaberCats Stadium on May 22 to host St. Louis CITY SC II. Tickets for that match and all Dynamo 2 games at SaberCats Stadium are free and available HERE.
