Austin FC II stay on the road and head back to the Lone Star State to face Houston Dynamo 2 for the second time this season. The match will kick off at 6:00 p.m. CT on Sunday, July 26, and will be available to watch on OneFootball and MLSNEXTPro.com.
Austin FC II OutlookÂ
Austin FC II reclaimed the top spot in the MLS NEXT Pro Western Conference with a 4-0 win over Vancouver Whitecaps FC 2. The Verde & Black positioned themselves well early, scoring three goals in the first half. Micah Burton and Diego Abarca made waves, each tallying a goal and an assist, and Evan Watt tucked one in during first-half stoppage time. Austin FC Academy product Christian Ayala also scored his first career goal for Austin FC II to complete the shutout.
Austin now turns to face Houston Dynamo 2, a team that has climbed the table to tie Austin FC II at the top of the Western Conference standings. Houston took the extra point in the last matchup, and the Verde & Black will look to even the series in the second meeting between the two sides.
Houston Dynamo 2 Outlook
Houston Dynamo 2 have proven difficult to beat at home, earning back-to-back wins in their last two matches. Most recently, Houston took a week off after their 2-1 home win over Colorado Rapids 2 on July 18, a match in which both teams received a red card. Dynamo 2 now turn toward a rematch with their in-state rivals, Austin FC II.
Last time these two teams met, Houston took the extra point after the match went to penalties. With Austin back at the top of the table, Dynamo 2 will have another chance to close the gap in a matchup with postseason implications.
