Dynamo 2sday: Dos Stay Red-Hot with 5-0 Win Over Portland
(image via Houston Dynamo FC)
Houston Dynamo 2 have officially captured the eyes of MLS NEXT Pro, winning their third straight game of the season, and by another big margin, surging them to the top of the table.
On Sunday, Dynamo Dos welcomed Portland Timbers 2 to SaberCats Stadium. In goal, Pedro Cruz once again gor the start. The defense didn’t feature Felipe Andrade for the first time this season but Tomáš Wiesner slotted into the right side of defense yet again.
Houston started their rampage in the 28th minute, when Matthew Arana assisted Arthur Sousa with a silky through ball into the final third. Sousa slipped the ball past the goalkeeper and into the bottom left corner, completing an aesthetically pleasing play.
Just two minutes later, the roles inverted. Houston’s pressure out of possession led to an errant pass from Portland goalkeeper Hunter Sulte that rebounded off Sousa’s leg and fell to Arana. The 15-year-old dribbled a bit to the left before unleashing a laser to the right side of the net. In just a few minutes, Dos developed a strong lead.
Near the end of the first half, Wiesner showcased his quality. After receiving the ball on the right and cutting inside, he played a one-two with Gustavo Dohmann, and Wiesner was left with a 1v1 opportunity on the right side of the box that he didn’t waste.
By this point, Houston were dominating the scoreline and the pace of play. Portland started the game off strong, but their form dipped dramatically as Houston’s pressing shape tightened and their offensive positioning improved.
Wiesner spent a lot of time in the final third of the field, with Arana, Samir Mohammad, Mattheo Dimareli, and Sousa forming a front five with him. The double pivot of Gilberto Rivera and Dohmann was strong, and the backline of three in possession held firm.
The second half wasn’t as explosive as the first, but Dynamo 2 were able to extend their lead late. Rivera tacked on his first professional assist, but in all honesty, Houston’s fourth goal was a piece of individual beauty. Substitute Jahmani Bell received the ball well outside the box in the 86th minute, and he was able to make a quick turn and rocket the ball into the top of the net. It was an outstanding volley and a possible goal-of-the-season contender for Dynamo 2.
The scoring wrapped up two minutes into extra time. Diego Gonzalez, who came on for Mohammad to start the second half, delivered a corner kick into the box. None of the Portland defenders were able to clear the ball, and Vinicius Silva struck the ball low and hard with his left foot to put up the fifth and final goal of the match.
With the 5-0 victory, Houston have jumped up to first in the MLS NEXT Pro Western Conference standings, and they’ve done so in convincing fashion, winning all three games by multiple goals and not conceding a single goal thus far.
Dynamo Dos will return to action Saturday, March 21 against North Texas SC at SaberCats Stadium. The game is set to start at 5 PM, and fans can tune in through OneFootball and YouTube or attend in person for free.