Dynamo 2sday: Dos take down St. Louis in midweek meeting
(image via Diego Martinez)
After a two-week hiatus, Houston Dynamo 2 returned to the pitch on Wednesday night, facing off against St. Louis CITY 2, a formidable opponent. Head coach Kenny Bundy stuck with the lineup that secured their first three points of the season in the previous match, making only one change: swapping out newcomer Jordy Burbano for the familiar Ifu Achara up top. The rest of the lineup remained unchanged, with Xavier Valdez guarding the net, and David Nguema, Femi Awodesu, Isaac Mwakutuya, and Kieran Sargeant forming the back four. Sebastian Rodriguez played in the midfield alongside Diego Gonzalez and Brooklyn Raines, with Exon Arzu and Ousmane Sylla completing the attacking trident with Achara.
Eleven minutes into the game, after dominating possession and pressuring the visitors, Gonzalez set up Achara for a one-on-one opportunity in the box. Achara skillfully evaded his defender, passing to Arzu, who found the back of the net, giving the home team an early 1-0 lead with a well-executed play.
In the 15th minute, Gonzalez had a chance of his own, connecting with Sargeant's cross but he failed to beat St. Louis goalkeeper Nicholas Ryan Bishop. The first quarter-hour belonged entirely to the home team, while St. Louis struggled to find their footing.
In the latter part of the first half, both teams exchanged shots, with Valdez and Bishop making crucial saves for their respective sides. The Dynamo controlled the midfield, pushing into their opponent's final third more frequently.
The second half started strong for the Dynamo, with Raines attempting a long-range shot that narrowly missed the left post. Houston continued to press, aiming to increase their lead.
In the 62nd minute, Dynamo Dos extended their lead to 2-0. Sylla's shot hit the crossbar and rebounded to substitute Maddox Findlay to score with his first touch since replacing Arzu a minute earlier. Findlay, a product of the Dynamo Academy, showcased his talent with several scoring opportunities on the right side of the field throughout the match.
Just before the match kicked off, Dynamo 2 announced the signing of Josue Souza from Brazilian side Gremio Foot-Ball Porto Alegrense on loan. Souza made his debut, replacing Sylla in the 78th minute, and impressed in the defensive midfield role.
As the match drew to a close, Valdez made a crucial save in the 91st minute to preserve the clean sheet and secure three points for Dynamo 2 with a 2-0 victory.
With back-to-back wins under Bundy's leadership, the team looks promising, blending young international talent with local players. The focus remains on developing talent for potential inclusion in the first team squad and it looks to be coming together well.
Dynamo 2 will face Tacoma Defiance in their next home match on Sunday at 6 PM. Despite Tacoma's history as a tough opponent, Dynamo Dos aim to continue their winning streak this weekend. All matches are open to the public at SaberCats Stadium, offering fans the chance to support the future stars of the Dynamo. #VamosDos #VamosLosPibes
