As it looks to lock up the No. 1 seed for the MLS NEXT Pro playoffs, Austin FC II stays on the road to face in-state rivals Houston Dynamo 2. The match will kick off at 6:00 p.m. CT on Friday, September 4, and will be available to watch on OneFootball and MLSNEXTPro.com.
Austin FC II OutlookÂ
ATXFC II will enter Friday night coming off a 2-1 road loss to second-place Portland Timbers 2, just their third defeat of the season. The Verde & Black opened the scoring early in the 14th minute and displayed strong defense until Timbers 2 equalized in the 59th minute. A stoppage time goal by Portland saw all three points stay with the hosts.
Austin FC II now turns to face Houston Dynamo 2 for the final time this season. The teams have had nearly identical results in the previous two meetings this season, with Houston taking the extra point in both 1-1 draws. The Verde & Black will look to regroup and end the series on a high note as the post season rapidly approaches. A win, coupled with a loss by Portland on Monday, would secure a first-place finish in the Western Conference for Austin.
Houston Dynamo 2 Outlook
Houston Dynamo 2 most recently fell 2-0 against Minnesota United FC 2 at home. Neither team was able to find the net in the first half and despite getting more total shots off, Dynamo 2 fell as MNUFC 2 took the lead in the 59th minute then secured the win with a penalty kick in the 72nd minute.
Houston Dynamo 2 currently sit in third place in the MLS NEXT Pro Western Conference standings with 48 points and a playoff spot already clinched. Dynamo 2 will look to bounce back after the defeat to Minnesota and secure a result that could improve their playoff seeding.
