MLS NEXT Pro announced today that Houston Dynamo 2 was named the MLS NEXT Pro Team of Matchday 21, following a 3-1 road victory over top-ranked Colorado Rapids 2 on Wednesday.
Additionally, earlier this week forward Papa Ndoye earned MLS NEXT Pro Player of Matchday 20 honors. The forward earned the recognition in back-to-back weeks after a three-goal performance Sunday evening against Sporting KC II at SaberCats Stadium.
Houston Dynamo 2 continued its five-game unbeaten streak on Wednesday after scoring three goals to beat Rapids 2 at Dicks Sporting Goods Stadium. Midfielder Diego Gonzalez opened the scoring for Dynamo 2 after a deflection off a Rapids 2 defender landed at his feet. The Houston Dynamo Academy product took the strike on the first touch to score the equalizer. A minute later, in the 40th, Houston took the lead after defender Isaiah LeFlore found forward Isaiah Reid at the top of the 18-yard box. Houston closed out the scoring in the 63rd minute after midfielders Sebastian Rodriguez and Jacob Evans combined for the final goal of the match. Dynamo Dos goalkeeper Xavier Valdez saved a penalty kick in the 69th minute to preserve a two-goal advantage and secure three points.
Ndoye became the first player in MLS NEXT Pro history to complete back-to-back regular season hat tricks. The Senegalese forward also scored three goals against Real Monarchs on Friday, July 28. Ndoye also became the first player in MLS NEXT Pro history to have two regular season hat tricks in the same year.
Dynamo Dos returns to SaberCats Stadium on Sunday, August 13 to host Whitecaps 2 at 6:00 p.m. CT. The match will stream live on MLS Season Pass on Apple TV.
