North Texas SC 2-3 Houston Dynamo B: Late Winner Seals Thrilling MLS Next Pro Road Victory

North Texas SC and Houston Dynamo B produced a five-goal thriller in MLS Next Pro on September 10, 2026, with the visitors leaving with a 3-2 victory after a dramatic late winner. The result gave Houston Dynamo B a valuable road win and kept the team in the thick of the Western Conference playoff race, while North Texas SC were left to rue missed chances in a match that swung repeatedly.

Match Overview

From the opening whistle, the game was played at a high tempo. North Texas SC looked comfortable in possession and tried to use the width of the pitch, while Houston Dynamo B sat in a compact mid-block and looked to strike on the counter. The home side drew first blood in the 18th minute when Tarik Scott latched onto a through ball and finished calmly past the goalkeeper. Houston responded well, equalizing in the 31st minute through Exon Arzú, who curled a left-footed shot into the far corner after a quick turnover in midfield.

The second half was even more open. Houston Dynamo B took the lead in the 54th minute when Beto Avila converted from close range after a low cross from the right. North Texas SC pushed forward and found an equalizer in the 67th minute, with Diego Hernandez heading home a well-delivered corner. But just as the game looked headed for a draw, Houston found a winner in the 88th minute. D'Alessandro Herrera picked up the ball on the edge of the box, shifted onto his right foot, and fired a low shot through a crowd and into the net.

Key Moments

• 18' – North Texas SC 1-0: Tarik Scott ran onto a defense-splitting pass and slotted home.
• 31' – Houston Dynamo B 1-1: Exon Arzú curled a shot beyond the goalkeeper after a midfield interception.
• 54' – Houston Dynamo B 2-1: Beto Avila tapped in from a low cross.
• 67' – North Texas SC 2-2: Diego Hernandez headed in a corner.
• 88' – Houston Dynamo B 3-2: D'Alessandro Herrera scored the winner with a low drive.

Tactical Story

North Texas SC controlled more of the ball, finishing with a healthy share of possession and a higher number of passes in the attacking third. Their build-up play often started with the center-backs, and the full-backs pushed high to create overloads on the wings. However, Houston Dynamo B's midfield pressed effectively in central areas, forcing turnovers that led directly to scoring chances. The visitors were ruthless in transition: both of their first two goals came from quick breaks after North Texas lost the ball in midfield.

Defensively, Houston Dynamo B conceded space behind their full-backs, and North Texas SC targeted that channel repeatedly. The equalizer came from a set piece, an area where Houston struggled at times. Yet the visitors' ability to counter-press in the final 15 minutes ultimately made the difference. Their winning goal came after they won the ball back high up the pitch and attacked with numbers.

Standout Players

Beto Avila was a constant threat for Houston Dynamo B, using his movement to stretch the North Texas back line and scoring the goal that put his team ahead. Exon Arzú dictated the tempo in midfield and scored a superb equalizer. For North Texas SC, Tarik Scott was lively throughout, while Diego Hernandez made a strong impact from set pieces. Houston goalkeeper Xavier Valdez also made two important saves in the second half to keep his team within touching distance before the late winner.

Season Impact

The three points lift Houston Dynamo B in the MLS Next Pro standings and strengthen their push for a playoff spot. For North Texas SC, the defeat is a missed opportunity to climb the table, especially after twice fighting back to level the score. With the season entering its final stretch, both teams will know that fine margins like these can decide postseason qualification. North Texas SC will need to improve their game management in the closing stages, while Houston Dynamo B will take confidence from a resilient road performance.