HOUSTON (Aug. 9, 2025) – Houston Dynamo 2 fell 4-0 to Real Monarchs at SaberCats Stadium tonight. Despite the result, Dynamo Dos still holds the upper hand in the all-time series against the Monarchs with a 5-1-1 (WLD) record in seven regular season meetings.
Dos have seven regular season matches remaining in the push for playoffs, including four at home and three versus opponents currently above the playoff line.
Notably, the match saw defender Nicolas ‘Nico’ Ramos make his MLS NEXT Pro debut after signing with Dynamo 2 on Thursday.
Real Monarchs opened the scoring in the 9th minute when Griffin Dillon delivered a free kick from outside the box, and Marcos Zambrano dove for a header, sending the ball into the bottom right corner. The Monarchs then doubled their lead in the 49th minute when Luca Moisa sent in a cross from the right wing that found Tyler Wolff at the far post for the volley finish.
Zambrano scored his second in the 57th minute after redirecting a pass from Wolff into the center of the goal for the Monarchs’ third of the night. The Monarchs added a fourth and final goal in the 83rd minute after Brayan Sandoval played a backheel pass to Jesús Barea, who then found Sandoval again for the finish.
Houston’s first dangerous chance came in the 18th minute when midfielder Josh Bolma controlled the ball inside the box and tapped it to defender Juan Viveros. Viveros took a first-time shot that went just wide to the left.
Goalkeeper Pedro Cruz was called into action in the 24th minute when Dillon fired a right-footed shot after recovering a loose ball following a clearance. Cruz blocked the low shot with his right foot, sending it over the crossbar. The shot stopper finished the night with three saves.
The Monarchs nearly extended their lead in the 38th minute when Barea fired a shot from inside the box, but Cruz was well positioned on the left side to handle the attempt.
Dynamo 2 next travel to face Sporting Kansas City II on Sunday, Aug. 17, with kickoff scheduled for 12 p.m. CT. Fans can tune in to the live action via MLS Season Pass on Apple TV.
