Goals from Brad Davis and Sito Seoane lifted the Houston Dynamo to a 2-0 win over Southern Methodist University in a preseason scrimmage Saturday morning at Methodist Champions Field at Houston Sports Park.
The Dynamo took the lead after 15 minutes. A ball played in behind the Southern Methodist defense put Omar Cummings in alone on goal before he was taken down in the penalty area as the Dynamo were awarded a penalty. Trialist Sito Seoane took the spot kit, calmly placing it into the lower left corner of the net for a 1-0 lead. It was Seoane’s third goal of the preseason.
Houston doubled its advantage 13 minutes after halftime. After sustained pressure, Will Bruin played a pass to Brad Davis on the edge of the penalty area. The United States international midfielder took a touch before slotting a well-struck shot into the far side of the net to make it 2-0. It was Davis’ third preseason goal after he scored twice on Wednesday against Houston Baptist University.
SMU created an early chance in the seventh minute. Forward Will Smith settled a ball inside the penalty area but fired wide of the near post from 12 yards.
In the 33rd minute, Houston forward Jason Johnson delivered a quality service to rookie Mark Sherrod, who rose well to win the header, but steered it wide of goal.
Sherrod threatened again three minutes later, forcing a good save from SMU goalkeeper Caleb Underwood, who pushed the shot wide for a corner kick.
The Dynamo continued to threaten, with Tony Cascio creating a chance on the left side as Underwood made another save.
Houston made ten changes at halftime, including right back Kofi Sarkodie. The fourth-year defender created a chance in the 61st minute, winning the ball in the corner and driving across the end line before squaring a pass to Servando Carrasco. The midfielder fired toward the top of goal and forced a stretching save from goalkeeper Michael Nelson.
SMU answered two minute later as midfielder Brenden Lee drilled a shot at the near post from ten yards and goalkeeper Tally Hall made the save.
Hall answered the call again four minutes later, as Lee set up Will Smith, who had a chance from eight yards but Hall stood tall once more to preserve the shutout.
The Mustangs continued to threaten in the 81st minute. Abdul Yassine fired from 18 yards and Hall parried the shot away. The rebound fell to Smith, who lifted his shot over the bar.
Houston created the final chance of the afternoon, with Bruin driving forward with the ball before sliding a pass to Boniek García, who targeted the far post with his shot but was kept out with a diving save by Nelson.
The Dynamo continue preseason with a scrimmage against the Pittsburgh Riverhounds of USL Pro on Wednesday at 11 a.m. CT at Houston Sports Park. Admission is free to the public.
Houston Dynamo vs. Southern Methodist University
February 15, 2014 – Houston Sports Park
Preseason Scrimmage
Scoring Summary:
HOU: Sito Seoane 3 (penalty kick) 15
HOU: Brad Davis 3 (Will Bruin 1) 58
Houston Dynamo – Tyler Deric (Tally Hall 46); Mike Chabala (Kofi Sarkodie 46), David Horst (Eric Brunner 46), AJ Cochran, Euan Holden^ (Corey Ashe 46); Tony Cascio (Boniek García 46), Alexander López (Ricardo Clark 46), Sito Seoane* (Servando Carrasco 46); Mark Sherrod (Giles Barnes 46), Omar Cummings (Will Bruin 46), Jason Johnson (Brad Davis 46)
Southern Methodist – Caleb Underwood (Michael Nelson 46); Jonathan Zabasajja, Michael King, Jacob Speed, Deshawon Nembhard; Damian Rosales (Brody Hickey 25) (Damian Rosales 46) (Eddie Puskarich 79), Marco Carrizales, John Lujano (Benjamin Joseph 85), Brenden Lee; Andrew Morales (Stanton Garcia 25) (Andrew Morales 46), Will Smith (Eddie Puskarich 25) (Leobardo Vazquez 46)
*Trialist
^Guest player
Discipline summary:
HOU: Eric Brunner (caution) 56
