HOUSTON (June 7, 2025) – Houston Dynamo 2 drew 1-1 against Sporting Kansas City II at Shell Energy Stadium earlier this evening and claimed the two points following a key save from goalkeeper Pedro Cruz. Dynamo 2 debutant defender Juan Viveros scored the fifth and final penalty kick of the evening to secure Houston’s third shootout victory of the season and second shootout win in a row.
Notably, the match saw forward Tomás Romero make his first start for Dynamo 2 after making his MLS NEXT Pro debut last weekend in the 1-1 draw against in-state rivals Austin FC II.
Kansas City II took the lead in the 40th minute when Maouloune Goumballe found Bryan Arellano in the middle of the box for a right-footed finish.
Houston leveled the match in the 52nd minute when forward Stephen Annor’s right-footed strike from inside the box deflected off the Sporting backline and into the back of the net for his third goal of the season. The play began with midfielder Enrique Correa, who found Annor in the box for his first professional assist.
Midfielder Lionel Gitau received a second yellow card in second half stoppage time and will be suspended for Houston’s next match. Kansas City II also went down a man in the 58th minute when Anthony Samways also received a second yellow card.
Dynamo Dos’ first shot on goal came in the seventh minute when Correa took his chances from outside the box with a right-footed strike that forced Jacob Molinaro to dive right and block the shot away for a Houston corner.
Forward Andy Batioja almost found the top left corner in the 34th minute with a free kick from just outside the box, forcing Molinaro to make a diving save to his right.
Houston had a dangerous opportunity in the 47th minute when a set-piece ball fell to the feet of midfielder Joshua Bolma in the center of the box, allowing him to force a save from the visiting goalkeeper.
Midfielder Mattheo Dimareli found Annor in the box in the 55th minute for a header that missed the near post by inches.
Bolma forced another save from Molinaro in the 61st minute when defender Michael Halliday found the attacker in the box for a right-footed shot towards the near post.
Forward Exon Arzú nearly gave Dynamo 2 the lead in the 80th minute when Halliday played him through on goal, but Molinaro managed to get a hand on the shot.
Cruz was called into action in the 86th minute when a freekick from Shane Donvan forced the Brazilian shot stopper to make a diving save to his left. Cruz finished the night with four saves.
Dynamo Dos next visit Minnesota United FC 2 on Thursday, June 12, with kickoff scheduled for 7:00 p.m. CT. Fans can tune in to the live action via MLSNEXTPro.com.
