HOUSTON (Aug. 8, 2026) – Houston Dynamo 2 earned three points earlier this evening at SaberCats Stadium, defeating Real Monarchs 3-0 in a match that concludedafter a weather delay. Defender Reese Miller, attacker Mattheo Dimareli and forward Jahmani "JJ" Bell were the three goalscorers. The win moves Dynamo 2 to within a point of first place in the Western Conference.
Today's victory marked Houston's second win over the Real Salt Lake affiliate this season, completing the sweep of their two-game series. The result also extended Dynamo 2's unbeaten home streak to start the season, which now stands at nine matches, the longest unbeaten home run in team history.
Notably, the match saw newly signed Vitor André and Dynamo Academy player Tristan Cottle make their professional debuts after coming as substitutes in the second half.
Goalkeeper Logan Erb contributed three saves to tonight's clean sheet, with his first coming in first half stoppage time, where the shot stopper dove high to his right to deny a freekick that was heading towards the upper right corner. The shutout marked the team's eighth of the year and Erb's second of the season.
Dynamo 2 took the lead in the 16th minute when attacker Samir Mohammad set up Miller for his fourth goal of the year. Mohammad delivered a cross from the right flank thatfound the American defender at the far post, where he headed the ball past the hands of Robert Alphi and into the back of the net. The assist marked Mohammad’s second of the season.
Dimareli doubled Dos’ lead in the 19th minute with a left-footed blast from well outside the box that caught the Real Monarchs goalkeeper off guard. The youngster first received a pass from midfielder D'Alessandro Herrera before taking aim at goal and firing a stunner from 25 yards into the near post. The goal marked Dimareli’s fourth of the season and Herrera’s third assist of the year.
Bell scored Houston's third and final goal of the night in the 83rd minute after defender Vinicius Silva dribbled into the box and split two Real Monarchs’ defenders before threading a ball between Alphi and another Real Monarchs’ defender into Bell’s path, who finished the play for his fifth goal of the season. The play marked Silva’s third assist of the year.
Real Monarchs went down to 10 men in the fifth minute of the match when Dylan Kropp fouled forward Arthur Sousa after denying a goal-scoring opportunity at the top of the box, with the Brazilian breaking towards goal.
Herrera had Houston's first shot on target in the sixth minute with a direct free kick near the edge of the box that forced a diving save from Alphin at the far post.
Miller fired a right-footed shot from inside the box in the 47th minute that forced Alphin to get low for the stop.
Real Monarchs went down another men in the 74th minute when Nicholas Silva was sent off for fouling defender Eiji Hata in Houston’s box.
Houston next host Ventura County FC on Friday, Aug. 14, at SaberCats Stadium, with kickoff scheduled for 6:00 p.m. CT. Fans can secure their free tickets for the home match HERE.
