MORAGA, Calif. – The Town FC hosted their first-ever match at Saint Mary’s Stadium on Friday, which resulted in a thrilling shootout finish with Houston Dynamo 2.
However, the home side couldn’t prevail in front of their fans, as late-game drama set up a successful come-from-behind victory for Houston, a team that hadn’t won a single game prior to the match. When it was all said and done, Dynamo 2 edged out The Town FC 5-3 on penalty kicks, following a 1-1 outcome in regulation.
The squads were gridlocked in a scoreless tie in the first half, despite both having plenty of opportunities. Houston set the tone for the game and notched five corner kicks in the first 45 minutes, but The Town FC held the fort down to reach halftime unscathed. The Town FC had chances of their own to close out the first frame, but all were to no avail.
Forward Riley Lynch — who suited up for Saint Mary’s from 2021-23 — returned to his collegiate home grounds and ended up contributing to a pivotal moment in the match. In the 53rd minute, the 21-year-old initially sized up an opposing defender to create separation in the box, and then chipped a pass toward the far-side post to forward Roka Tsunehara, who headed in the ball for the game’s first goal.
Tsunehara was a halftime substitute for defender Aaron Edwards, who had appeared to be feeling some discomfort after entering the pitch in the 20th minute. The goal was Tsunehara’s first of the season and gave The Town FC much-needed momentum heading down the stretch. The 18-year-old’s go-ahead score made him the sixth player on The Town FC to register a goal this season, and ignited a jolt of energy into the Moraga crowd.
Entering the match, The Town FC were undefeated when scoring first, but Houston wasn’t going to let them celebrate just yet. Goalkeeper Mikolaj Bieganski saved a point-blank shot in the 69th minute and made a heroic, diving stop in the 78th minute to keep his team’s lead afloat. Lynch continued to feed crosses on the offensive end, but The Town FC couldn’t net any insurance with limited time left. Tsunehara later left the game with an injury, forcing manager Daniel DeGeer to make even more changes.
In the dying moments of stoppage time, Dynamo 2 captain Diego Gonzalez fired a prayer from outside the 18-yard box, which left Bieganski dead in his tracks. The ball made its way to the top-left corner of the net, leveling the game at one with barely any time to play. The 96th-minute equalizer would eventually help Gonzalez achieve the Adidas Man of the Match honor.
All knotted up when the final whistle was blown, The Town FC were set to compete in their third shootout of the season. Each side traded makes before Dynamo 2 goalkeeper Xavier Valdez saved The Town FC’s second shot attempt from defender Casey Walls. The crucial stop was enough to give Houston the edge, as both squads made the rest of their shots.
The victory gave Dynamo 2 their first win of the season following a dismal 0-4-1 start, and they now sit at three points total. The Town FC earned one point to reach double digits in the table with 10, and now hold a 2-2-3 record.
“We definitely could’ve come out a little bit sharper, with a little bit more energy,” said Lynch postgame. “We had the fans, so there was no excuse to come out a little bit flat like we did … Hopefully next time we can get the result.”
While the loss was disappointing, The Town FC still remain in the thick of the Western Conference race. In seventh place, the Bay Area club is only six points back of first, and well within striking distance of the other teams ahead. Late-game complacency will be a critical focus for DeGeer’s group to avoid heartbreaking finishes.
“Experience and energy, mainly,” said defender Sean Bilter when asked about the team’s needs down the stretch. “Everyone needs to have the same level of energy, and I think that was lacking today.”
Up next, The Town FC will welcome North Texas SC to Moraga, the team that The Town FC lost to in a shootout back on Apr. 6. Separated by just three points in the standings, the matchup will be an important one for both Western rivals.
The game will kick off at 5 p.m. at Saint Mary’s Stadium and will be broadcast globally on MLS Season Pass on Apple TV.
MEDIA ASSETS
Click here to download photos of the match
Click here to watch highlights of the match
MATCH INFORMATION
2024 MLS NEXT Pro Season
The Town FC 1[3] – 1[5] Houston Dynamo 2
Friday, May 3, 2024
Scoring Summary:
TTFC (1-0) – R. Tsunehara 53’
HOU (1-1) – D. Gonzalez 90’ + 6’
Misconduct Summary:
TTFC – J Ricketts (Caution) 9’
TTFC – B. Leroux (Caution) 35’
HOU – I. Mwakutuya (Caution) 45’ +1’
TTFC – C. Medina (Caution) 47’
TTFC – O. Verhoeven (Caution) 76’
HOU – I. Achara (Caution) 77’
The Town FC: M. Bieganski (GK), J. Ricketts (R. Ibarra – 83’), C. Walls, S. Bilter, O. Verhoeven, C. Medina (C), E. Mendoza, B. Leroux (A. Chow – 71’), R. Lynch, E. Blancas Maravilla (J. Donnery – 71’), W. Richmond (A. Edwards – 20’, R. Tsunehara – HT, A. Cano – 90’)
Substitutes not used: J. Nicolson, J. Spivey, R. Rajagopal
SHOTS: 10; SHOTS ON GOAL: 3; FOULS: 13; CORNER KICKS: 7; SAVES: 3
Houston Dynamo 2: X. Valdez (GK), D. Nguema, O. Awodesu, I. Mwakutuya (S. Annor – 85’), M. Findlay, B. Raines, S. Rodriguez (Z. Soto – 71’), D. Gonzalez (C), E. Arzu, I. Achara, O. Sylla
Substitutes not used: P. Jackson, I. Reid, N. Betancourt, N. Defreitas-Hansen, A. Ekqvist
SHOTS: 13; SHOTS ON GOAL: 4; FOULS: 18; CORNER KICKS: 6; SAVES: 2