HOUSTON (May 26, 2024) – Houston Dynamo 2 split a two-game homestand following tonight’s 3-2 loss to Tacoma Defiance at SaberCats Stadium.
Tacoma took the lead in the 22nd minute after Dynamo goalkeeper Nico Hansen denied Faysal Bettache from close range. The rebound fell to Burke Fahling for his first goal of the season.
Houston scored the equalizer in the 58th minute following a short corner kick. Ousmane Sylla’s cross found Femi Awodesu at the near post for his first goal of the season. Defensively, Awodesu was tied with Sebastian Rodriguez for the most recoveries tonight with five recoveries each.
Dynamo 2 scored the go-ahead goal in the 63rd minute in transition after Isaac Mwakutuya won the ball in Houston’s half of the field. The Dynamo Academy player found Ifu Achara near midfield and the Nigerian international dribbled into the final third. Dynamo 2 passed the ball along the top of the box, ultimately reaching Maddox Findlay for his second goal of the season.
Owen O’Malley found Snyder Brunell for the equalizer in the 81st minute and Tacoma took the lead in the 84th minute following an own goal from a Dynamo 2 defender.
Hansen was well positioned to deny Yu Tsukanome at the near post in the 21st minute. The Dynamo 2 goalkeeper finished with five saves against Tacoma tonight.
Houston’s best opportunity of the first half came off the left foot of forward Exon Arzu. Stephen Annor controlled a cross inside the box in the 35th minute and laid the ball off to Arzu, but his effort was saved at the far post. The Honduran international currently leads the team in goals scored with three, most recently scoring the game-winning goal against St. Louis CITY 2 on Wednesday.
Arzu won a free kick moments later after he was fouled in Tacoma’s half of the field. Dynamo 2 captain Diego Gonzalez took the ensuing free kick and found Awodesu inside the box, but his header was saved by the Tacoma goalkeeper. Dynamo 2 forced seven saves from the Tacoma goalkeeper tonight at SaberCats Stadium.
Houston nearly scored the equalizer in the 56th minute following a cross from Gonzalez that found Annor at the far post. Annor’s header was initially saved by the Tacoma goalkeeper, but the rebound fell to Findlay. The Dynamo Academy player forced a save at the near post. Findlay scored his first professional goal on May 22 in Houston’s 2-0 victory over St. Louis CITY 2 at SaberCats Stadium.
Houston made a final push for the equalizer in the final moments of the second half with shots from Gonzalez and Diego Garcia, but their efforts were both off target.
Dynamo 2 return to SaberCats Stadium on June 23 when they host Colorado Rapids 2 at 7:00 p.m. CT. Tickets for that match and all Dynamo Dos matches at SaberCats Stadium are free and available HERE.
