The Houston Dynamo and Southern Methodist University played to a 2-2 draw in a scrimmage Saturday morning at Methodist Champions Field at Houston Amateur Sports Park. Je-Vaughn Watson and Brian Ching scored for Houston while Leobardo Vazquez and a Houston own goal helped the Mustangs earn the draw.
The Dynamo created a lot of chances in the first half but were unable to open the scoring. Instead, Southern Methodist struck first in the 15th minute. SMU midfielder Damian Rosales crossed the ball from near the corner into the Dynamo box, where it hit defender Eric Brunner and redirected into the net for a Mustang goal.
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Houston nearly equalized three minutes later as Franck Songo’o struck a well-hit shot from the top of the box, but it was cleared off the line by an SMU defender.
In the 31st minute forward Will Bruin was denied when his low shot was blocked by the outstretched foot of goalkeeper Jaime Ibarra.
Ten minutes later it was midfielder Adam Moffat who nearly provided the equalizing goal. His shot from 30 yards was deflected before Ibarra was forced to make a difficult save, pushing the ball away as he crashed into the post.
Four minutes later, after Brad Davis came close to scoring, defender Bobby Boswell had his opportunity on goal. His volley struck the head of a Mustang defender before it hit the post and bounced away.
Six minutes after halftime, it was Cam Weaver with a chance to even the score. Watson curled in a pinpoint cross, but Weaver’s volley stayed over the crossbar.
Southern Methodist lengthened its lead in the 60th minute when Leobardo Vazquez slipped in behind the defense, eluded goalkeeper Erich Marscheider, and rolled a slow shot that just cleared the goal line before Houston could clear, extending SMU’s lead to 2-0.
The Dynamo did not take long to pull a goal back, as two minutes later, a nice sequence resulted in a goal. Luiz Camargo played a ball from the middle of the SMU half to the feet of Weaver, near the penalty spot. Weaver laid the ball off for Watson, who placed it in the low corner and found the net, cutting the deficit to 2-1.
Houston continued to pressure the SMU defense and were denied by a pair of impressive saves from second-half goalkeeper Devin Cook. The first came in the 71st minute when Warren Creavalle crossed an excellent ball for Weaver, who struck his header well, but Cook made the stop. Seven minutes later, Cook pushed aside a dangerous free kick from Alex Dixon to preserve the lead.
The Dynamo finally broke through in the 87th minute. Ching drew a foul near the corner flag and then headed in Alex Dixon’s ensuing free kick at the back post for the tying goal.
Weaver had a few late opportunities to win it for Houston, but just missed the far post with each chance.
The Dynamo continue preseason on Tuesday at 3 p.m. when they scrimmage the Dynamo Academy, presented by Statoil, at Methodist Champions Field at Houston Amateur Sports Park. Parking and admission are free to the public.
Houston Dynamo vs. Southern Methodist University
February 9, 2013 – Houston Amateur Sports Park
Preseason Scrimmage
Scoring Summary:
SMU – Eric Brunner (own goal) 15
SMU – Leobardo Vazquez (Tyler Engel) 60
HOU – Je-Vaughn Watson 1 (Cam Weaver 2, Luiz Camargo 2) 62
HOU – Brian Ching 1 (Alex Dixon 3) 87
Houston Dynamo first half – Tally Hall; Kofi Sarkodie, Bobby Boswell, Eric Brunner, Jimmy Nealis; Frank Songo’o, Ricardo Clark, Adam Moffat, Brad Davis; Will Bruin, Jason Johnson
Houston Dynamo second half – Erich Marscheider; Warren Creavalle, Anthony Arena, Mike Chabala, Kofi Sarkodie; Je-Vaughn Watson, Ricardo Clark (Brian Ownby 61), Luiz Camargo, Alex Dixon; Cam Weaver, Brian Ching
Southern Methodist University – Jaime Ibarra (Devin Cook 46); Damian Rosales, Michael King, Ben Hill, Chris Sendejas (Chris Figueroa 46); Tyler Engel, Max Rockwell (Derek Schrick 35), Aaron Simmons, John Lujano (Edu Aranda 35; John Lujano 46; Will Smith 65); Andrew Morales (Brenden Lee 35; Max Rockwell 65), Juan Castillo (Leobardo Vazquez 46)
*Trialist
