Houston Dynamo FC fall to Austin FC in first preseason match at PNC Stadium

Houston Dynamo FC lost to in-state rivals Austin FC by a final score of 4-0 in the first preseason match of 2022 at PNC Stadium. 

Austin took the lead in the 18th minute off a defensive error from the Dynamo. Forward Cecilio Dominguez intercepted an errant Houston pass inside the box and put a first-touch shot in the net for the first goal of the game. Dominguez doubled Austin’s lead two minutes later after dribbling inside the box and curling a shot inside the far post. 

Austin’s third goal of the evening came in the 30th minute with a long-range effort from outside the box from midfielder Alex Ring.

The visitors scored their fourth goal of the game in the 61st minute after Dominguez found forward Maxi Urruti in a tight angle at the near post. The former Dynamo forward poked the ball past the Dynamo shot stopper for the first goal of the second half. 

Houston’s first threat came in the opening minutes off a corner kick that found forward Fafa Picault at the near post, but his headed effort was just wide of the target. Dynamo forward Sebastián Ferreira forced a save at the near post in the 56th minute and teenage forward Andre Gitau drew a foul just inches outside the penalty area in the final minutes that led to a dangerous free kick from midfielder Memo Rodriguez.

In the 72nd minute, Houston’s 2022 MLS SuperDraft first round pick Thor Úlfarsson came on for Ferreira, earning his first game action with the Club .  

The Dynamo will next be in action on February 16 at 12 p.m. when the team travels to Austin to face Toronto FC. They wrap up preseason play on Saturday, Feb. 19 when they face FC Dallas in Frisco.

Houston kicks off its 2022 regular season campaign on Opening Day presented by PNC Bank when they host Real Salt Lake on Sunday, Feb. 27. Kickoff for that match is set for 6 p.m. CST