Houston Dash pull out a tough home point, Dynamo Dos earn big road win

The Houston Dash pulled out a tough home point in a 2-2 draw with the Washington Spirit. The Dynamo Dos, nearly 1200 miles away in Minnesota won a hard fought 1-0 road match against the Loons 2. Both Houston sides kept their hold on playoff berths in 2022.

Houston Dash

The Dash started the evening in third place in the NWSL table despite being in a statistical points tie with Portland and San Diego. Houston jumped on Washington early as midfielder Sophie Schmidt tapped home a goal in the 22nd minute following a shot off that Washington keeper Aubrey Kingsbury parried off the near post. The Spirit wiped out the lead with two second half goals in a span of two minutes by Ashley Hatch. Houston kept up the offensive pressure that began with the opening whistle peppering 15 shots against Kingsbury. Forty six minutes after giving up the brace to Hatch, second half sub Michelle Alozie needed just 10 minutes after entering the match to find the equalizer for Houston and salvage the point. The game tying goal came as defender Caprice Dydasco went in a cross that Valerie Gauvin headed on goal. Kingsbury's save fell at the feet of an onrushing Alozie and she banged home her second goal of the season. Houston finished the night in second place in the table two points off the pace of San Diego who defeated Portland in the Pacific Northwest. The NWSL will now rest up before returning to action the weekend of September 9-11, 2022.

Dynamo Dos

The Houston Dynamo 2 traveled 1,200 miles and faced an MUNFC 2 side that had players from the Minnesota United first team. Houston was up to the challenge posting a 1-0 road win, securing three road points and solidifying their hold on a playoff berth in the inaugural season of MLS Next Pro. The performance highlighted the chemistry the team has been able to build this season. Dynamo 2 forward Jacob Evans described the team effort that culminated in win number 12 and a spot in the playoffs.

"We're a team that's just bought into winning, to working hard," described Evans following the match. "We know that some games are going to be tough. Some games are not going to be pretty. We're just a team that doesn't have egos and a few guys have played together before, some of the older lads and obviously the academy kids. Everyone just worked so hard for each other. It's nice to be a part of a team like that. No one slacks, everyone does the work. Good things happen when your team works hard."

Kyle Edwards scored the lone goal of the match in the 25th minute on a penalty kick conversion. The yellow card on Ignacio Gutierrez was the first of six against MUNFC 2 as the Dos outshot Minnesota 20-11 and forced nine saves.

The Dynamo 2 return home to AVEVA Stadium for a 7:00pm CT kick against St. Louis FC.