Houston Dynamo 2 remains undefeated and consolidates itself as the invincible leader of MLS NEXT Pro’s Western Conference after defeating Timbers2 4-1 Saturday evening at PNC Stadium.
The victory makes it the fourth consecutive win for Kenny Bundy and his men, with goals from Marcelo Palomino, Papa N’Doye, Roberto Avila and D’Alessandro Herrera.
The team also went 323 minutes without conceding a goal, a streak that T2 midfielder Blake Bodily broke after he converted a penalty shot at the 53rd minute.
Timbers2 showed some danger in the first 20 minutes up until N’Doye was able to find himself inside the box to assist Marcelo Palomino for his second goal of the season to open scoring in the 28th minute. N’Doye would close the first half with a goal for himself in the 43rd minute.
Dynamo Dos started the second half creating more chances than the visitors, however, after a sliding tackle foul in the penalty area by Sterling Penniston, the team allowed its first goal of the season in the 53rd minute. Following their first allowed goal in history, the home team gained momentum once again and Avila was able to score his fourth goal of the season in the 59th minute, which puts him tied for leading scorer in the league with Tacoma Defiance forward Alfonso Ocampo-Chavez. Herrera put the game out of reach with his goal in the 88th minute and Dynamo Dos cruised to victory despite some incredible saves from Timbers2 goalkeeper Hunter Sulte.
The Story: Kenny Bundy gives all credit to players and staff
It was a special night for Kenny Bundy and his men to make their debut at PNC Stadium with yet another win. So far, four wins in a row, 12 points, and only one conceded goal give Houston Dynamo Dos the best record in MLS NEXT Pro this inaugural season.
It is an outstanding performance for the head coach, who has been with the Houston Dynamo organization since 2016. However, the skipper remains humble and gives all the credit to players and staff when asked about what it meant for him to coach at PNC Stadium.
"I'd rather talk about what it means to the players, to be honest," Bundy said in a post-game press conference. "It's about those guys, and I think this is why this team exists, it exists to put our young prospect players in a situation where they're having to feel different types of pressure."
One of those pressures could have been the spotlight of playing in the second match of the doubleheader that followed the Dynamo and Timbers' scoreless draw.
“The message was very clear from the beginning,” Bundy said about having to play after the Houston Dynamo and Portland Timbers. “This is just another opportunity to play, it's just a different location. It’s not something that should intimidate you, it’s not something that you should be in awe of but you should embrace the opportunity and I think that they stood out and they really did the business.”
In the end, the home team embraced the challenge and ended up with a 4-1 victory over Timbers2. Next week, they'll take on in-state rival North Texas SC.
