HOUSTON (Interstat) — Los Angeles FC II scored the decisive goal after Houston Dynamo II had erased a two-goal deficit and claimed a 3-2 victory on Sunday in a match that went 120 minutes. Houston Dynamo II pulled level through Gilberto Rivera’s second goal in the 74th minute, but Los Angeles FC II answered and held on through the closing stages. The result moved Los Angeles FC II to 1-0-0 in the competition and overall, while Houston Dynamo II fell to 0-1-0 in both. The home side pushed for another equalizer late, but Los Angeles FC II managed the final minutes and secured the win. The result left Houston Dynamo II still seeking its first win.

Los Angeles FC II started quickly and took control before halftime. Jude Terry scored in the 12th minute, giving the visitors an early lead. Marius Aiyenero doubled the advantage in the 54th minute with a finish that put Houston Dynamo II in a two-goal hole. Aiyenero played 72 minutes before being substituted, and Terry came off in the 90th minute after a shift that included the opening goal. Los Angeles FC II continued to defend its lead into the second half before Houston Dynamo II found momentum.

Houston Dynamo II responded after the break and turned the match around with a burst in the second half. Gilberto Rivera scored in the 69th minute to cut the deficit, then struck again in the 74th minute to level the match. Rivera played the full 120 minutes and finished with two goals. Samir Mohammad also logged 120 minutes for Houston Dynamo II and contributed an assist, helping the home side climb back into contention. Houston Dynamo II made changes in the second half, including a double substitution in the 68th minute, as it sought to complete the comeback.

Los Angeles FC II regained the lead after Houston’s equalizer, and Decarlo Guerra scored while also picking up a yellow card in the 120th minute. Kaplan S. was booked for Los Angeles FC II in the 84th minute. The visitors made several late substitutions to protect the result, while Houston Dynamo II pushed for another equalizer deep into extra time but could not find a third goal. Houston Dynamo II had chances during the extended period, but Los Angeles FC II managed the closing stages and secured the win.

Los Angeles FC II made a 50th-minute substitution with Santiago J. Houston Dynamo II made a double change in the 68th minute with Arana M. and Dimareli M. Los Angeles FC II replaced Mihalic T. and Aiyenero M. in the 72nd minute. Houston Dynamo II brought on Brummett A. in the 84th minute, and Los Angeles FC II removed Terry J. at 90. Betancourt N. entered for Houston Dynamo II at 105, Kosakoff C. for Los Angeles FC II at 105, and Silva V. for Houston Dynamo II at 118. The substitutions came as the match stretched past regulation and into the final minutes of extra time. The final whistle followed soon after the last substitution. Los Angeles FC II protected its one-goal edge.

The match had been projected as a close contest. Interstat’s game simulator had projected a final score of Houston Dynamo II 1, Los Angeles FC II 0. Interstat’s ELO system had projected Houston Dynamo II with a 65.3 percent probability to win. Houston Dynamo II had been installed as a pregame favorite with a spread of -0.5. The total score of 5 went under the over/under line of 2.5.