Houston Dynamo FC defeated Phoenix Rising FC 2-1 at Kino Sports Complex earlier today to end their preseason camp in Arizona. Houston finished the 2022 Desert Showcase with a 2-0-1 record.
Dynamo forward Corey Baird gave Houston the early lead by capitalizing on a defensive error in the second minute. A misjudged pass skipped over the Phoenix backline directly to Baird, who beat the opposing goalkeeper at the far post.
Houston doubled their lead in the 18th minute when forward Sebastián Ferreira got behind the backline and ran onto a pass from midfielder Matías Vera. The Phoenix backline anticipated an offside call, but the Dynamo forward continued to dribble into the box before beating the goalkeeper for the second goal of the game.
Phoenix found the back of the net in the 24th minute off a set piece outside the box. The cross found an attacker at the far post who lunged over the Dynamo backline to head the ball for the third goal of the game.
The Dynamo prioritized fitness in today’s preseason game and switched the entire lineup for the final 30 minutes. One of the substitutions was rookie forward Thor Úlfarsson, who appeared to have a goal in his preseason debut but was ruled offside after finding the back of the net on a low cross from Dynamo Academy forward Andre Gitau.
Dynamo midfielder Darwin Cerén forced a save in the 81st minute with an effort from outside the box. The midfielder joined the Dynamo on Saturday morning after representing El Salvador in the Concacaf World Cup Qualifiers.
The El Salvador international found forward Tyler Pasher inside the box in the 87th minute and his curling effort just missed the inside of the far post.
The Dynamo return to Houston later today and will host Austin FC at 6 p.m. CT on Saturday, Feb. 12 in the lone preseason game at PNC Stadium.
