Houston Dynamo 2 Draws Ventura County FC in Penalty ShootoutHouston Dynamo 2 Draws Ventura County FC in Penalty Shootout THOUSAND OAKS, California (July 5, 2024) – Houston Dynamo 2 concluded a two-game road trip with a 1-1 draw against Ventura County FC. The home team emerged victorious in the penalty shootout, earning an extra point. Ventura County took an early lead in the 27th minute after a foul outside the penalty area. Isaiah Parente’s free kick found Gabriel Arnold, who capitalized on a loose ball for the game’s opening goal. Houston Dynamo 2 equalized in the 53rd minute through captain Diego Gonzalez. A cross from Dynamo Academy alumnus Kieran Sargeant allowed Gonzalez to save the ball and score his second goal of the year. Ousmane Sylla forced a save for Ventura County in the 31st minute, while Dynamo Academy player Mattheo Dimareli provided early threats for Houston. Dimareli led the team with nine duels won. Dynamo 2’s Isaiah Reid and Ventura County’s Riley Delgado both had chances in the second half, but their shots did not find the net. The match went to a penalty shootout, where Ventura County emerged victorious 3-2. Dynamo 2 goalkeeper Xavier Valdez made two saves during regulation and two more in the shootout. Houston Dynamo 2 will return home to SaberCats Stadium on July 11th to face Austin FC II. Tickets for this game and all Dynamo 2 home matches are free and available at HERE.
THOUSAND OAKS, California (July 5, 2024) – Houston Dynamo 2 ended a two-game road trip with a 1-1 draw against Ventura County FC. The home team won the penalty shootout 3-2 to earn an extra point.
Ventura County took the lead in the 27th minute after a foul outside the penalty area. Isaiah Parente took the ensuing free kick that went to the penalty spot and Gabriel Arnold capitalized on the loose ball for the game’s first goal.
Dynamo 2 equalized in the 53rd minute after a cross from Dynamo Academy alumnus Kieran Sargeant towards the far post. Captain Diego Gonzalez saved the ball after a volley for his second goal of the year.
Houston forward Ousmane Sylla forced a save in the 31st minute with a shot from outside the penalty area. Sylla scored in Houston’s 3-1 win over Minnesota United FC 2 on Sunday.
Dynamo Academy player Mattheo Dimareli provided Houston’s first threat of the night with a run into the penalty box, creating space for a shot that was blocked by the Ventura County defensive line near the end line. Dimareli was one of nine Dynamo Academy players or former players who took the field tonight.
Dynamo 2’s last chance in the first half came in the 45th minute from Dimareli’s left foot. His shot was blocked in the penalty area. The 15-year-old finished with five victories, the most of any Dynamo 2 player tonight.
Dynamo 2 forward Isaiah Reid created space for a shot from above the penalty area in the 83rd minute, but his shot went wide of the near post. Reid had scored in back-to-back games prior to this match.
Ventura County responded with a shot from Riley Delgado, which moments later forced a save from Dynamo 2 goalie Xavier Valdez. The Dynamo goalie finished with two saves against Ventura County tonight. Valdez also made two saves in the penalty shootout after regulation.
Houston’s final chance of the second half came in the third minute of injury time from Gonzalez’s right foot, following a free kick that was saved by Brady Scott.
Dynamo 2 returns to SaberCats Stadium on July 11th to host Austin FC II. Tickets for that game and all Dynamo 2 games at SaberCats Stadium are free and available HERE.
