Houston Dynamo vs. Minnesota United FC Final Score: Dynamo surrender two-goal lead in 2-2 draw

The Dynamo hosted Minnesota United FC on Saturday night in the first of three meetings between the sides this season. A match that promised goals certainly lived up to its billing, but the Dynamo will be disappointed in the final result as they let a 2-0 halftime lead slip away and had to settle for a 2-2 draw.

The Dynamo were unable to find a rhythm in the opening ten minutes, but they soon were able to string together a number of promising attacks in a match that was largely played in transition. The Dynamo defense was often stretched in the first half and Minnesota probably should have finished at least one of their chances through Christian Ramirez. Ramirez repeatedly got in behind the back line and received the ball in promising positions but was unable to take advantage of his chances.

The Dynamo’s offensive efforts were rewarded when Cubo Torres made a smart run down the right flank on a throw-in and caught the Minnesota defense napping. Torres immediately crossed off the bounce and found Mauro Manotas in a small pocket of space near the penalty spot. Manotas calmly took a touch before firing into the bottom left corner for the first goal of the night.

The rest of the first half included more open play and Houston found a second goal in the 43rd minute when Alberth Elis darted in to connect with Boniek Garcia’s free kick.

Sloppy defensive play was the story of the second half for the Dynamo. The first Minnesota goal came in the 47th minute when Ramirez was able to rise above Garcia at the back post to head in off a corner. Johan Venegas leveled the game with a tidy finish just 12 minutes later, capping off a sequence when the Dynamo back line seemed to be in complete disarray.

There was perhaps one bright moment for the men in orange in the second half. Dynamo fans were delighted to see Romell Quioto back on the field after the Honduran was sidelined three weeks ago with a dislocated shoulder. Quioto replaced Elis in the 77th minute and his appearance really seemed to give the Dynamo a spark as they searched for a winner but were ultimately unsuccessful.

The Dynamo will look to get back to winning ways at home when they host the San Jose Earthquakes next weekend.

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