MLS NEXT Pro Houston Dynamo 2

Dynamo 2 Fall to Austin FC II in Season Opener

Published on March 25, 2023 under MLS NEXT Pro (MLS NEXT Pro)
Houston Dynamo 2 News Release


AUSTIN - Houston Dynamo 2 fell 2-1 on the road to Austin FC II in the MLS NEXT Pro regular season opener earlier today in the state capital.

The game came to an end following an acrobatic effort from Ezekiel Soto with the final kick of the game. The 16-year-old made his MLS NEXT Pro debut tonight and he is one of 11 Dynamo Academy players or alums to feature in the game today.

Dynamo 2 forward Papa N'Doye scored the first goal of the season for the team in the second half. Dynamo 2 midfielder Diego Gonzalez was able to intercept a ball in the opponent's half as Austin tried to play forward. N'Doye was able to reel in Gonzalez's pass and dribble past a defender to score.

Austin FC II scored the equalizer in the second half after midfielder Valentin Noel found space in the final third to tally his first goal of the season. Noel finished with a brace after he found the back of the net in the 83rd minute.

Midfielder Jacob Evans had the first look at goal of the night for Dynamo 2. The second-year player found space at the top of the 18-yard-box and was able to take a shot on goal. However, the Austin backline was able to clear the ball.

Houston forced Austin FC II to make back-to-back saves in the 26th minute after a corner kick created the best chance of the night for Dynamo Dos. Forward Beto Avila had the first touch at the far post, but the shot was blocked by Austin FC II goalkeeper Damian Las. Avila had a second opportunity after the rebound fell to his feet but was denied.

Dynamo 2 nearly scored on a corner kick with 10 minutes left in regulation in the first half. Midfielder Paolo Rios found defender Talen Maples in the box. The Dynamo 2 captain was able to get his head on the ball but narrowly missed the back of the net.

Two minutes after the opening goal of the season, N'Doye nearly doubled the lead after finding space on the right flank. N'Doye's shot was deflected out of play by an Austin defender for a throw in.

Avila was shown a second yellow card in the final minutes of the second half after a challenge on an Austin FC II defender. Dynamo 2 played the remainder of the match down a man.

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Austin FC II (1-0-0; 3 points) 2-1 Houston Dynamo 2 (0-0-1; 0 pts.)

MLS NEXT Pro Regular Season - Week 1

Pramer Field - Austin, Texas

SCORING SUMMARY ‚

TEAM ‚ 1H 2H FT ‚

Austin FC II 0 2 2

Houston Dynamo 2

0 1 1

HOU: Papa N'Doye 1 (Diego Gonzalez 1) 49

ATX: Valentin Noel 1 (David Rodriguez 1) 64

ATX: Valentin Noel 2 (unassisted) 84

LINEUPS:

Austin FC II: Damian Las, Charlie Asensio, Salvatore Mazzaferro, Kipp Keller, Joe Hafferty, Emmanuel Johnson, Valentin Noël, David Rodríguez, Christo Vela (Steeve Louis Jean 60), Alfonso Ocampo-Chávez, Jackson Walti (Alonzo Ramirez 60)

Unused substitutes: Eric Lopez, Cheick Toure, Sebastien Pineau, Jonathan Santillan, CJ Fodrey, Bryan Arrellano, Christopher Pinkham

Total shots: 11 (Valentin Noel and David Rodriguez tied with 3); Shots on goal: 5 (Valentin Noel 2); Fouls: 16 (David Rodriguez 4); Offside: N/a; Corner kicks: 3; Saves: 4 (Damian Las 4)

Houston Dynamo 2: Xavier Valdez; Djevencio van der Kust, Talen Maples, Mujeeb Murana, Omar Grey (Jathan Juarez 86); Diego Gonzalez, Paolo Ríos (Cesar Cordova 75), Jacob Evans (Yair Gonzalez 86); Papa Ndoye (Zeke Soto 75), Beto Avila, Isaiah Reid (Isaiah LeFlore 68)

Unused substitutes: Andrew Pannenberg, Joe Farouz, Diego Rosas, Zeke Soto, Ify Udanoh

Total shots: 16 (Talen Maples, Papa N'Doye and Beto Avila tied with 3); Shots on goal: 5(Beto Avila 2); Fouls: 18 (Beto Avila 6); Offside: 2; Corner kicks: 7; Saves: 3 (Xavier Valdez 3)

DISCIPLINE: ‚ ‚

HOU: Beto Avila (caution; foul) 18

ATX: Christo Vela (caution; foul) 28

HOU: Jacob Evans (caution; foul) 36

HOU: Mujeeb Murana (caution; foul) 60

HOU: Talen Maples (caution; foul) 85

HOU: Zeke Soto (caution; foul) 90+1

HOU: Beto Avila (ejection; second yellow) 90+3

ATX: CJ Fodrey (caution; foul) 90 + 8

OFFICIALS: ‚ ‚

Referee: Jeremy Scheer

Assistant Referee: Jay Norris

Assistant Referee: ‚ Jennifer Dumaine

Fourth Official: ‚ Melvin Rivas

Weather: 78 degrees, clear skies

Check out the Houston Dynamo 2 Statistics

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MLS NEXT Pro Stories from March 25, 2023


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