AUSTIN (April 12, 2026) – Houston Dynamo 2 drew 1-1 on the road against in-state rivals Austin FC II earlier this evening and claimed the two points after a penalty kick shootout victory. Goalkeeper Pedro Cruz made a crucial save on the fifth penalty to keep the team alive, while defender Gavin Wolff scored the go-ahead penalty and Austin missed their sixth and final attempt high to the left. Additionally, the match entered a temporary weather delay in the 88th minute.
Dynamo 2 currently sits second in the Western Conference with 14 points and a 4-0-1 (WLD) record, remaining undefeated so far this season. Under the leadership of March’s MLS NEXT Pro Coach of the Month, Jeremy Hurdle, Dos is also the only team in the league to have conceded just one goal in 2026.
Notably, the match also saw defender Vinicius Silva make his first Dynamo start, while forward Myles Gardner made his first start of the 2026 season.
Dynamo 2 took the lead in the 61st minute after forward Arthur Sousa lobbed the ball over Erik Lauta and into the far post after recovering the ball inside the box following a clearance error from Ausitn’s backline. The goal marked his second of the season.
Jorge Alastuey later forced a penalty shootout for Austin after equalizing from the penalty spot in second half stoppage time. The penalty was given to the host after first team player Reese Miller was deemed to have handled the ball in the box.
Forward Jahmani “JJ” Bell had his first shot on target in the seventh minute, taking his chances from deep with a right-footed strike that found the hands of Lauta.
Cruz, who earned MLS NEXT Pro Goalkeeper of the Month for March, was called into action in the 24th minute after getting high and pushing a shot from Kenan Hot over the crossbar. The Brazilian shot stopper finished the night with five saves.
Houston had a dangerous chance in the 31st minute when a blocked shot from Sousa landed in front of midfielder Samir Mohammad for a header that was denied by Lauta at the near post.
Cruz delivered a crucial save in the 77th minute, diving high to his right to deny a long-range shot from Kenan Hot.
Houston will continue their 10-match road trip by facing Real Monarchs on Sunday, April 19, at Zions Bank Stadium, with a kickoff set for 4:30 p.m. CT. Fans can tune in to the live action via MLSNEXTPro.com and OneFootball.
