Houston Dynamo look to avenge early season loss to Minnesota United

The Houston Dynamo are hosting Minnesota United on Saturday. Both teams are in search of three points that will help them climb higher in the standings. The Dynamo will need to tighten up their midfield if they want to contain Darin Quintero who was on a scoring tear last game for MNUFC.

The Dynamo tied their rain delayed Tuesday night game against Los Angeles FC despite being the weaker team on the night. The men in orange were completely overrun by the LA team giving up two goals to the visiting team. However, they staged a major stoppage time comeback, the kind they usually fall victim too. Mauro Manotas scored in the 93rd minute with a goal that looked like it would do little more than prevent the team from being shut out. Romell Quioto took corner kick for the Dynamo in the 96th minute. The corner made its way to Philippe Senderos who’s left footed shot deflected off of Mark-Anthony Kaye and into the net to tie the game. It’s rare for the Dynamo to be the team that steals a point from a game, but they walked away with a point after time expired with 2-2 on the scoreboard.

MNUFC are coming off of a high scoring win against Toronto FC. Darwin Quintero scored a hat trick in the team’s 4-3 victory over Toronto. The Loons had jumped out to a two goal lead by the 13th minute of the game with one of those goals coming from Quintero, but TFC was able to score in the 42nd minute. Quintero scored in the 52nd and 57th minutes of the game to put his team up 4-1. TFC looked to mount a comeback with a 70th minute goal and another during stoppage time, but they were unable to find a fourth goal for the tie. The win helped snap a 3 game losing streak for the Loons.

MNUFC have struggled on defense this season allowing 33 goals in 17 games played. The Dynamo have also struggled dealing with major injuries in the midfield as well as on defense they have allowed 26 goals in 16 games played. The Loons have 10 losses to Houston’s 6, but with 19 points the Loons are within striking distance of the Dynamo who have 22 points and sit in 7th place in the MLS Standings.

Saturday’s game will be the second time the two clubs have faced each other this MLS season. Back in April the Dynamo lost on the road to Minnesota 2-1. Alberth Elis scored early in that game to give the Dynamo an early lead but they allowed a goal from Darwin Quintero just before half time. They also faced each other in the US Open Cup last month where the Dynamo walked away with a 1-0 victory.

Saturday’s game kicks off at 8 pm CT.