A lone goal by MNUFC2’s Rory O’Driscoll helped prevent the team’s first possible shutout, but Houston Dynamo 2 defeated the Minnesota side 1-4 at the National Sports Center on Sunday night.
The visiting side opened the scoring in the fourth minute of the match after winning a duel at the top of the 18-yard box and sneaking a low-driven ball past goalkeeper Fred Emmings for an early Dynamo 2 lead.
Houston’s momentum continued with a second goal nearly ten minutes later when Emmings came off his line to receive a back pass but was confronted by the Dynamo 2 attack. Attempting to rid the ball from the Minnesota box, his clearance was intercepted by Diego Gonzalez, who put his shot on frame, netting the second goal for the Texas side.
Dynamo 2 scored again in the 17th minute with its third goal of the night after receiving a free kick in Minnesota’s defensive half. Juan Castilla stepped up for the kick, his shot hugging the far post and bouncing into the net.
MNUFC2 had a couple of scoring chances in the first 45 minutes, despite a three-goal deficit. In the 27th minute, forward Diogo Pacheco won a duel atop the Houston box, finding midfielder Zaydan Bello making a run into the goal area. Bello’s strike was blocked, but midfielder Molik Jesse Khan gained control of the ball and took a shot to put the Twos on the board, missing just wide of the woodwork. MNUFC2 earned a corner kick just before the end of the half where Jesse Khan flicked the ball with the back of his heel to defender Britton Fischer. Fischer scrambled for the ball, battling with Houston goalkeeper Xavier Valdez, who was able to secure possession and cease the MNUFC2 threat.
Forward Kameron Lacey had the first scoring opportunity of the second half after he received a through ball from midfielder Rory O’Driscoll, catching the pass through the Houston center backs. Lacey’s lone run at goal was halted by a quick recovery from the Dynamo 2 defense.
Defender Juan Mosquera obtained control of the ball, making a driving run down the touchline towards goal. Mosquera was able to find O’Driscoll at the top the box, who scored from long range to give MNUFC2 its first goal of the match, his second this season. Mosquera was awarded the assist.
Dynamo 2 added its fourth and final goal in the 88th minute when Sebastian Rodriguez ran onto a lay-off pass at the top of the arc and struck a shot into the side netting past a diving Fred Emmings for the three-point victory on the road.
With the result, MNUFC2 stand in 10th place in MLS NEXT Pro Western Conference regular-season action with a 4-5-3 record (W-L-D) and 16 points.
MNUFC2 will next welcome Whitecaps FC 2 to the National Sports Center Stadium on Sunday, June 18th at 6:00pm CT.
GOALS
0-1 HOU – Yair Gonzalez, assisted by Talen Maples (4’)
0-2 HOU – Diego Gonzalez, unassisted (13’)
0-3 HOU – Juan Castilla, unassisted (17’)
1-3 MIN – Rory O’Driscoll, assisted by Juan Mosquera (59’)
1-4 HOU – Sebastian Rodriguez, assisted by Jacob Evans (89’)
DISCIPLINAIRY SUMMARY
Caution, HOU – Isaiah LeFlore (33’)
Caution, HOU – Mujeeb Murana (45’+1’)
Caution, MIN – Nick Richardson (51’)
Caution, MIN – Leo Conneh (55’)
Caution, MIN – Cedrik Gbo (61’)
Caution, HOU – Xavier Valdez (76’)
Caution, ejection, HOU – Isaiah LeFlore (87’)
Caution, HOU – Jathan Juarez (90’+1’)
Caution, HOU – Juan Castilla (90’+3’)
NOTABLE STATS
1 – Juan Mosquera earned his first MLS NEXT Pro and MNUFC2 assist.
12 – MNUFC2 has scored in 12 consecutive matches, having yet to be shutout this season, which is a new team record.
76 – Rory O’Driscoll led both MNUFC2 and Houston Dynamo 2 with 76 total touches on Sunday evening.Â
TEAM LEADERS (Updated through June 11)
Goals – Diogo Pacheco (6)
Assists – Diogo Pacheco (4)
Saves – Fred Emmings (30)
Wins – Fred Emmings (4)
Shutouts – Fred Emmings (1)
