Houston Dynamo 2 battled back from three separate deficits to beat Real Monarchs 5-3 at Zions Bank Stadium Friday evening. A hat trick by forward Papa Ndoye and a second half brace by forward Isaiah Reid powered Dynamo Dos to victory.
Real Monarchs took the lead in the ninth minute after Amferny Arias was able to get past a few Dynamo 2 defenders to take the shot from the middle of the box. The ball narrowly missed the diving hands of Dynamo goalkeeper Xavier Valdez.
Ndoye and Houstonequalized in the 20th minute to even the scoring. Defender Isaiah LeFlore made a diving attempt in the box to keep the ball in Houston’s possession. Ndoye was able to get to the ball and made an acrobatic effort to take the left footed shot, which resulted in the goal, as he fell to the ground.
Real Monarchs regained the lead in the first minute of first half stoppage time. Valdez saved the first attempt by the Salt Lake attack, but the second chance rebound landed at the feet of Real Monarchs midfielder Jude Wellington.
Forward Isaiah Reid scored the equalizer four minutes after coming into the match as a half-time substitute. Dynamo Dos forced a turnover in the Real Monarchs side of the field and Reid fought off a few Salt Lake defenders for his third goal of the season.
Salt Lake regained the lead for a third time in the 57th minute after Cayne Madhlangove who scored from distance.
Houston tied the game in the 60th minute after Ndoye converted from the spot after Dynamo Dos was awarded a penalty kick. LeFlore was making a run on the far side when he was tackled by a Real Monarchs defender.
A minute later, Reid scored his second goal of the night to give Dynamo Dos its first lead of the night. Houston pieced together a strong build up on the left flank with midfielder Jacob Evans finding Reid in the box. The Clemson product was hit from behind as he took the shot.
Ndoye completed the hat trick in the 84th minute after Houston was able to force a turnover in the midfield. Ndoye then played the ball off his chest to set himself for the final goal of his third goal of the evening.
The first chance of the night came in the eighth minute of the match when midfielder Brooklyn Raines had a shot blocked by the Salt Lake defense.
Midfielder Diego Gonzalez nearly gave Houston the lead in the 41st minute after the Houston Dynamo Academy product took a shot from outside the box. Gonzalez’s shot was just wide of the bottom left corner of the goal.
Houston was able to get the ball inside the six-yard box of the Real Monarchs as they pieced together an attack just before the half but was unable to convert.
Dynamo Dos return to SaberCats Stadium on Sunday, July 16 to host North Texas SC at 6 p.m. CT. That is the first of two home games for Dynamo 2 who host Minnesota on July 23.
