HOUSTON (June 23, 2024) – Houston Dynamo 2 dropped three points at home following a 3-1 loss to Colorado Rapids 2 at SaberCats Stadium earlier tonight.
Houston took the lead in the 14th minute after Dynamo Academy forward Mattheo Dimareli found Isaiah Reid inside the box. The Clemson University product dribbled to create space for a shot that found the bottom corner of the near post for his first goal of the season.
The Rapids scored the equalizer in the 51st minute following a turnover outside the box. Marlon Vargas won the ball and played a pass to Alec Diaz for the equalizer. Colorado added to their lead in the 63rd minute after Anthony Garcia found the bottom corner of the far post. Garcia intercepted a pass in the 77th minute outside the box for Colorado’s third goal of the evening.
Houston’s first opportunity of the match came in the fourth minute off a cross from Kieran Sargeant that bounced across the face of goal. Dynamo Dos had two players enter the penalty area, but the cross skipped out of bounds.
Dimareli forced a save in the 10th minute with a shot from the edge of the box. The 15-year-old earned his first start of the season today. The forward was one of nine Dynamo Academy players or alums to take the field today.
Dynamo 2 captain Diego Gonzalez played a cross into the box in the 18th minute intended for Stephen Annor but cleared by the Rapids backline.
Dynamo 2 goalkeeper Xavier Valdez was well positioned to make his first save of the game in the 40th minute. The Dynamo Academy alum handled Marlon Vargas’ shot for the first of his five saves against Colorado this evening.
Defender Femi Awodesu forced a save in the 54th minute following a free kick from Gonzalez.
Gonzalez forced a save in the 68th minute with a shot from outside the box but his effort was handled by the Rapids goalkeeper. Houston’s final threat of the match came off the right foot of Josue in the 87th minute, but his shot was blocked by the Rapids backline.
Dynamo 2 travel to Minnesota next weekend to start a two-game road trip. The team returns to SaberCats Stadium on July 11 to host Austin FC II. Tickets for that match, and all Dynamo 2 games at SaberCats Stadium are free and available HERE.
