ARLINGTON, Texas (Friday, July 15, 2022) – Houston Dynamo 2 came out of the second installment of the MLS NEXT Pro Texas Derby with two points after winning the penalty shootout when regulation ended with the two teams tied 3-3.
In the shootout, both teams perfectly mirrored each other, making each of their first three shots from the spot before missing the fourth time up and converting their fifth shots. In the sixth round of the shootout, goalkeeper Xavier Valdez extended to his right to block the shot of North Texas’ Paul Amedume. Moments later, it was Dynamo 2 captain and defender Talen Maples who converted the final shot to give Houston 2 points and sole possession of third place in the Western conference standings.
Dynamo 2 struck early, as defender Jathan Juarez found midfielder* Isaiah LeFlore*with a through pass inside the North Texas 18-yard box that LeFlore calmly sent into the back of the net in the fifth minute. LeFlore was making just his second appearance with Dynamo 2, having come on as a halftime substitute in last week’s match and scoring in the 63rd minute of that game.
Houston doubled its lead after midfielder Marcelo Palomino drew a penalty in the 23rd minute. A minute later, the Houston native took the penalty kick himself and slotted the ball into the bottom left corner of the net past the diving keeper to give Houston a 2-0 lead.
North Texas got on the board in the 36th minute as Blaine Ferri swung a corner kick into the box and José Mulato rose up to head the ball into the net to cut the Dynamo 2 lead to one goal.
LeFlore was not finished with just one goal. Just after returning from the locker room after halftime, forward Kyle Edwards found enough space up the right flank to unleash a cross inside the box that found LeFlore in the 47th minute, who put away his third goal in his first two games for Dynamo 2 to give Houston a 3-1 lead.
North Texas scored off of a second corner kick in the 66th minute, as this time it was Tomas Lacerda who was able to get his foot on the end of the corner kick to make it a one-goal game once again.
The home team found the equalizer in the 84th minute as Colling Smith threaded a cross into Mulato, who put a first-touch shot into the net to tie the score 3-3.
Valdez was challenged by North Texas in the 15th minute, as Colin Smith cut back across the 18-yard line and took a shot that forced Valdez into a diving save. On the night, Valdez finished with two saves.
Dynamo 2 are back at AVEVA Stadium next Sunday, July 24 when they face off against MNUFC2 at 7:00 p.m. For tickets and additional information, visit HoustonDynamoFC.com.
