Sam Mbonu
In a glimpse of what the 2022 Texas derby will look like, Houston Dynamo FC was whitewashed 4-0 at home by state rivals Austin FC in the first preseason match of 2022 at PNC Stadium.
It is a reality check to remind most fans that the team is still undergoing rebuilding under the new first-year head coach, Paulo Nagamura.
Houston Dynamo fielded a strong squad against Austin FC with the new marquee signing, Sebastian Ferreira making his home debut.
A defensive error from Darwin Quintero gifted Austin FC the lead inside the 18th minute when Forward Cecilio Dominguez intercepted Houston's pass inside the box and put the ball beyond Steve Clark.
Dominguez doubled Austin’s lead two minutes later after dribbling inside the box and curling a shot inside the far post as steve Clark picked the ball out from his net once again.
Alex Ring made it 3-0 for the visitors in the 30th minute with a long-range effort from outside the box which new Houston Dynamo shot-stopper, Steve Clark has no answer to.
The most painful of all the goals Austin FC scored was when ex Houston Dynamo FW, Maxi Urutti poked home the 4th and by then the few fans at the stadium have all but left their seats for the exit gates.
Houston Dynamo showed a few threats in front of the goal in the opening minutes when last season's team MVP. Fafa Picault headed effort went wide'.
Dynamo's new marksman, Sebastián Ferreira forced a save at the near post in the 56th minute.
Teenage sensation, Andre Gitau drew a foul just outside the penalty area in the final minutes that led to midfielder Memo Rodriguez taking the freekick.
In the 72nd minute, Houston’s 2022 MLS SuperDraft first-round pick Thor Úlfarsson came on for Ferreira, earning his first cap with the Club.
The Dynamo will next be in action on February 16 at 12 p.m. when the team travels to Austin to face Toronto FC. They wrap up preseason play on Saturday, Feb. 19 when they face FC Dallas in Frisco.
Houston kicks off its 2022 regular season campaign on Opening Day presented by PNC Bank when they host Real Salt Lake on Sunday, Feb. 27. Kickoff for that match is set for 6 p.m. CST
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