Dynamo 2sday: Dos Claim First Road Win of Season
(image via Vancouver Whitecaps FC)
After 14 days of inactivity following a 1–0 win over LAFC 2, Houston Dynamo 2 hit the road to face Vancouver Whitecaps 2. Vancouver, led by Houston Dynamo legend Ricardo Clark, also came off a big win in their last match — a dominant 4–0 result against Austin FC II.
Pedro Cruz started in goal behind a back line of Noah Betancourt, Micah Harris, Isaac Mwakutuya, and Daniel Barrett. The midfield featured newly signed Josh Bolma, Lukas Bruegmann, Sebastian Rodriguez, and Exon Arzu. Up front, it was Stephen Annor and team captain Diego Gonzalez.
In the 16th minute, Bruegmann made a brilliant solo run, cutting through two defenders in the box and unleashing a point-blank shot that was deflected by Vancouver goalkeeper Adrian Zendejas for a corner. Much of Houston’s attacking threat in the first half came from the left side, with Bruegmann and Bolma consistently pressing forward.
Bolma had a chance of his own in the 21st minute after receiving a pass at the top of the box. His shot, deflected by a defender, was comfortably handled by Zendejas. Just a minute later, Vancouver responded with a shot by Cyprian Kachwele — not dangerous, but a sign the hosts were ready to go toe-to-toe.
In the 33rd minute, Vancouver built another chance from a run down the right flank, ending in a tame effort easily collected by Cruz. Minutes later, Bruegmann tested Zendejas from distance, but again the keeper was up to the task.
Just before halftime, Vancouver struck first. Following a foul outside the box, Jackson Castro stepped up and curled a stunning free kick into the top corner — or, as they say in Spanish, “donde las arañas tejen su nido” ("where the spiders weave their webs").
But the lead didn’t last. Moments later, Exon Arzu was fouled in the box, earning a penalty for Dynamo Dos. Captain Diego Gonzalez hit the crossbar with his penalty, controlled the rebound, and fired again, only to be denied by Zendejas. However, the loose ball fell to Annor, who buried it to level the match at 1-1 just before the break.
Early in the second half, Kachwele forced Cruz into a diving save, tipping the ball out for a corner. Vancouver came close again, this time from a header by Nelson Pierre that sailed just over the bar.
The clearest chance of the match came in the 71st minute. Nikola Djordjevic surged down the sideline and delivered a perfect ball to Pierre, who found Kachwele unmarked at the back post. But Kachwele’s rushed first touch sent the shot over the bar, squandering a golden opportunity.
Dynamo 2 answered with fire. Substitute Jordy Burbano cut inside at the top of the box and curled a shot toward the far post, but Zendejas made a fingertip save. Seconds later, Gonzalez fired from close range, but again Zendejas denied him.
In the 85th minute, Burbano got his redemption. After a deflection landed at his feet outside the box, he unleashed a rocket into the back of the net — his first goal of the season, and Dynamo’s second of the night to put Houston ahead 2-1 late in the match.
Then in the 90th minute, a miscommunication between Vancouver’s defense and Zendejas led to a pressured back pass. Zendejas mishandled it and committed a foul, gifting Dynamo Dos a second penalty. Arzu stepped up and confidently converted for the 3–1 lead.
Dynamo Dos held on fiercely in the closing minutes to secure their first away win of the season. The result temporarily moves them into a tie for first place in the Western Conference with 12 points from six matches.
Next up, Dynamo 2 will host their in-state rivals Austin FC II on Sunday, April 27th at 6:00 PM. Catch the match on MLS Season Pass on Apple TV or via the MLS NEXT Pro website.
