BLAINE, Minn. (May 16, 2026) – Houston Dynamo 2 drew 1-1 on road against Minnesota United FC 2 earlier this evening and claimed the two points following three crucial saves by April’s MLS NEXT Pro Goalkeeper of the Month Pedro Cruz. The Brazilian shot stopper denied Minnesota’s first two penalties before securing Houston’s second shootout victory of the season with a diving save to his left on the four and final penalty.
Tonight’s result adds to Houston’s impressive undefeated start to the season, with eight victories and two draws through the first 10 matches. The team, which earned MLS NEXT Pro Team of the Month honors for April and Team of Matchweek 10, sits atop the Western Conference standings with 28 points and currently ranks first in assists (18) and fewest goals conceded in open play (four) this season. Dynamo 2 also sits second in the league with goals scored (25).
Minnesota took the lead in the 25th minute when Darius Randell found the bottom right corner following a pass from Marcus Caldeira.
Forward Austin Brummett leveled the match in the 47th minute with a flying header inside the box. The play began with attacker Samir Mohammad, who signed a professional contract with Dynamo 2 this week, dribbling past a Minnesota defender on the right flank before delivering a cross into the box. Minnesota’s goalkeeper Kayne Rizanovich got a touch on the ball, but it fell to Brummett, who headed in his fifth goal of the season.
Cruz was called into action in the fourth minute of the match, getting low to comfortably block a long-range strike from Troy. The goalkeeper finished the night with five saves.
Dynamo 2’s first dangerous chance came in the 10th minute when a ball from Cruz found Brummett making a run from midfield. The striker controlled the ball and dribbled towards the box before firing a right-footed shot that forced a diving save from Rizvanovich.
Houston created another scoring opportunity in the 74th minute when midfielder Diego Gonzalez found Brummett at the near post for a right-footed shot that was denied by the Minnesota goalkeeper.
Forward Arthur Sousa nearly broke the 1-1 deadlock in the 86th minute with a powerful strike from inside the box that missed the near post by inches.
Houston next travels to face Portland Timbers2 on Sunday, May 24, at Providence Park, with kickoff scheduled for 3:00 p.m. CT. Fans can watch the match live via MLSNEXTPro.com and OneFootball.
