HOUSTON (Sept. 22, 2024) – Houston Dynamo 2 earned a 2-1 victory over the Colorado Rapids 2 behind goals from Dynamo 2 captain Diego Gonzalez and new loan signing Andy Batioja. The win keeps Houston’s playoff hopes alive as they sit near the playoff line with two league matches remaining.
Today’s fixture marked Batioja’s MLS NEXT Pro debut as the Colombian forward was signed on Aug. 22. The match also marked Jeremy Hurdle’s second victory as Dynamo 2 interim head coach.
Houston got on the scoresheet first in the 28th minute when Gonzalez converted a penalty with a well-placed shot to the left side of the net for his fifth goal of the season. The 21-year-old stepped up to the spot after a foul in the box by Colorado’s backline on midfielder Ousmane Sylla.
Dynamo 2 doubled their lead in the 81st minute after a quick counterattack by Sylla found Batioja for a right-footed curler just outside the box. The 18-year-old opened his MLS NEXT Pro scoring account just five minutes after coming on to the field.
Colorado Rapids pulled one back in the 88th minute when Colton Swan intercepted a pass from goalkeeper Xavier Valdez and placed it into the back of the net for their only goal of the afternoon.
Valdez was called into action in the 14th minute, getting low to scoop up a low-driven shot from Rogelio Garcia. The save was his first out of three saves this afternoon.
In the 42nd minute, Sylla whipped a cross from the right flank to the back post that found the head of Gonzalez, where he attempted a pass to the center of the box but instead found the hands of the Colorado goalkeeper.
Sylla forced a blocked shot in the 46th minute with a left-footed strike from outside the 18-yard box.
Houston generated another scoring opportunity in the 70th minute with a pass attempt from Sylla that almost found forward Stephen Annor through the middle. Minutes later, Annor took his chances from just outside the box and missed slightly above the crossbar.
Valdez stepped up again in the 87th minute with an easy save off a freekick from Robinson Aguirre.
Dynamo 2 will travel to Seattle on Sunday, Sept. 29 to take on Tacoma Defiance at Starfire Sports Complex before returning to SaberCats for their last match of the season against Vancouver Whitecaps FC 2.
