Houston Dynamo 2 inch closer to playoff berth with 1-0 victory in Minnesota

Houston Dynamo 2 earned their 12th triumph of the season with a 1-0 victory over Minnesota United FC 2 at Allianz Field this evening. With the victory Dynamo 2 is one step closer to a playoff berth and can clinch with an Earthquakes II loss on Sunday.  

The lone goal of the match came after Houston was awarded a penalty kick in the 25th minute after Ignacio Gutierrez committed a foul on Beto Avila inside the box. The ensuing free kick was converted by Kyle Edwards for his fifth goal of the year.

Edwards forced a save in the opening minutes of the game with a shot that was handled by Fred Emmings at the goal line. The forward won a corner kick 10 minutes later from a through ball courtesy of Jacob Evans. The MNUFC 2 backline closed the angle and space but ultimately conceded a corner kick. 

Dynamo 2 goalkeeper Xavier Valdez was called into action in the 24th minute when he denied Niko Hansen at the near post. Valdez was called into action again in the 30th minute when he got a hand on Abu Danladi’s effort at the near post. The Dynamo Academy alum finished with three saves against MNUFC 2. 

Dynamo 2 midfielder Paolo Rios made his debut this evening and he nearly found the back of the net in the 35th minute off a cross from Isaiah LeFlore. Rios’ diving header just missed the inside of the far post and the 22-year-old created one chance in his 45-minute shift. 

Dynamo 2 was denied twice in the final moments of the first half beginning with a corner kick that found Mujeep Murana inside the box. Murana’s header was saved by the Minnesota goalkeeper and the rebound fell to Jacob Evans, but his effort was blocked at the near post. 

Thiago entered the match in the 71st minute and he generated one of Houston’s most dangerous opportunities of the second half after he dribbled toward the end of the box to force a save. The ball fell to Paulo Lima, who was called offside. 

Dynamo 2 return to AVEVA Stadium on Saturday, Sep. 3 to host St. Louis CITY 2 at 7 p.m. CT. Tickets for the match are available at HoustonDynamoFC.com and the match will stream live on MLSNEXTPro.com.