Player Ratings: Houston Dynamo vs. Minnesota United FC

More and more questions seem to pop up about the Houston Dynamo the more games we see. The team has only two wins this season, but both are by four goals. The team should have been able to come into Minnesota and best the Loons handedly, but were defeated 1-2. Minnesota United FC took advantage of some huge mistakes at the back and finishing for the Dynamo was once again a big area of concern.

The Top Performers:

Romell Quioto, Man of the Match, (8.1) – Romell Quioto was hands down the best player on the pitch for either side in this match. He was relentless getting forward, supplied the opening goal for Alberth Elis, and continued to create chances for himself and others. Having Quioto and Elis on the pitch at the same time opens up a lot of space for players to move because they spread the field and are each capable of creating and finishing chances. After a gradual transition into the starting lineup following a preseason illness, he has shown his value on the left wing. Finishing is still an issue for the forwards as Quioto managed to rocket a shot into the post and miss a shot across the goal, but Quioto was primarily the player to send in the ball and he deserves a lot of credit for what he opened up for others.

Alberth Elis (7.9) – We know what Alberth Elis can do at this point in the season. He is fast, he can dribble, and he’s willing to put himself in the way of defenders to get the goal. He did all of those things against the Loons which put the Dynamo up early in the game. The only thing I wanted more from Elis was perhaps a little more Elis. He only notched two shots and he has been the Dynamo’s most dangerous player this season. I understand Quioto operated a lot from the left side and didn’t always connect with Elis, but there should have been a little more there from Elis to get the result the team deserved. Good game overall and he was a top player for the team, but he needs to be more active against teams that are struggling.

Joe Willis (6.9) – Joe Willis got another start in goal over Chris Seitz. Willis got the start over Seitz last week against a depleted Toronto FC side, but put in a commanding performance that included a penalty save. I’m unsure if Wilmer Cabrera was starting Willis because of his performance last week or wanted to give him more minutes against a weaker side, but either way it was a decent showing for the Dynamo keeper. I’m not sure if I would place Willis in the top category of performers, but there aren’t many standouts apart from Quioto in my mind. Willis can’t take blame for either goal as he didn’t commit the foul that led to a penalty (and I’ll almost never fault a keeper for missing a penalty) and the go ahead goal by the Loons was poor by the defense.

Head Coach Wilmer Cabrera (4.8) – I have to wonder if Wilmer over thought or underestimated his opponents. Starting the struggling Alejandro Fuenmayor over the proven starter Adolfo Machado at center back proved to be costly as Fuenmayor gave up the penalty to equalize the game before halftime. His use of substitutes was equally puzzling. Taking off Quioto, Martínez, and Elis with points still on the line took off the best attacking threats – especially how effective Quioto had been creating chances. I will concede that it isn’t Cabrera’s fault that his players aren’t hitting shots that they should and normally do make, but his game plan didn’t seem to work despite a dominant performance by his side. Taking off his best players in the game too seemed to take away the possibility of earning another road draw as well.

The Rest of the Starters:

DEF: DaMarcus Beasley (6.8)

DEF: Leonardo (5.6)

DEF: Alejandro Fuenmayor (4.1)

DEF: Andrew Wenger (6.4)

MID: Darwin Cerén (6)

MID: Oscar Boniek García (5.7)

MID: Tomás Martínez (6.3)

FW: Mauro Manotas (6.1)

The Subs:

FW: Mac Steeves (5.1)

FW: Arturo Álvarez (4.6)

MID: Memo Rodríguez (5.1)