The Basics
Houston Dynamo vs. Minnesota United FC
Saturday, July 7, 2018, 8:00 p.m. CT
BBVA Compass Stadium, Houston, Texas
Broadcast Information
KUBE 57 – 7:30 p.m. (CHANNEL LISTINGS)
ESPN+ – 8:00 p.m. (out-of-market)
SportsRadio 610 AM – 7:30 p.m.
Univision Radio 1010 AM – 7:30 p.m.
Preview
After dramatically rallying for a 2-2 draw against LAFC on Tuesday, the Houston Dynamo are hoping to build off that momentum and move above the playoff line with a win against a Minnesota United FC team that is coming off a 4-3 win over Toronto FC on the Fourth of July.
The Loons came from behind to beat Houston, 2-1, in the first meeting between the teams in late April with Darwin Quintero and Ibson scoring 30 minutes apart after Alberth Elis put the Dynamo in front in the 10th minute.
- One point, two distinct feelings for Dynamo, LAFC
- Even Quintero was impressed with MNUFC hat trick
- Watch: An emotional ovation for Collin Martin
- Offense, evolved: Darwin discovers 3 new golazos
Houston Dynamo
The Dynamo (6-6-4) appeared on the verge of losing their second straight game when Mark-Anthony Kaye followed an early Latif Blessing goal to give visiting LAFC a 2-0 lead in the 72nd minute.
That lead held until Mauro Manotas and Philippe Senderos scored two minutes apart deep into stoppage time to secure a remarkable draw in a game that was delayed 90 minutes because of inclement weather.
“This experience is unbelievable,” Wilmer Cabrera said. “We’ve been too many times this year experienced the opposite so feeling this situation is rewarding. It’s good for them because that showed us that we have that fighting spirit, we have that type of concentration and we can change things no matter what in the last five minutes of the game.”
- Suspended: None
- Suspended after next caution: D - Alejandro Fuenmayor, M - Tomas Martinez, F - Alberth Elis
- International duty: None
- Injury Report: OUT: D - A.J. DeLaGarza (torn left ACL), M - Juan David Cabezas (left quad injury), F - Mac Steeves (left hip injury), M/D - Andrew Wenger (left calf injury)
Projected Starting XI
(4-2-3-1, right to left)
GK: Joe Willis — Adam Lundkvist, Adolfo Machado, Philippe Senderos, DaMarcus Beasley — Eric Bird, Oscar Boniek Garcia — Alberth Elis, Tomas Martinez, Romell Quioto — Mauro Manotas
Minnesota United FC
The fireworks came early for Minnesota (6-10-1) on Wednesday night with Quintero and Miguel Ibarra giving the hosts a 2-0 lead after 13 minutes. Quintero wasn’t done for the night, following with two more goals in a five-minute span early in the second half after Justin Morrow pulled Toronto FC within a goal late before halftime.
Sebastian Giovinco and Jordan Hamilton scored inside the final 20 minutes, but the Loons would hold on and pick up a win Adrian Heath said was coming.
“I’m pleased that they got the reward that they did tonight, because I don’t think anybody in here can say that we didn’t deserve something from the previous three games,” Heath said. “And sometimes you don’t get what you deserve. I’m aware of that. But tonight we did.”
- Suspended: D - Francisco Calvo
- Suspended after next caution: M - Rasmus Schuller
- International duty: None
- Injury Report: OUT: M - Sam Cronin (cervicogenic dysfunction), M - Kevin Molino (torn left ACL), M - Ethan Finlay (torn ACL), F - Abu Danladi (left leg injury), D - Jerome Thiesson (right leg injury); QUESTIONABLE: D - Eric Miller (left hamstring injury), D - Marc Burch (left knee injury)
Projected Starting XI
(3-5-2, right to left)
GK: Bobby Shuttleworth — Michael Boxall, Brett Kalllman, Tyrone Mears — Miguel Ibarra, Ibson, Collen Warner, Rasmus Schuller, Alexi Gomez — Christian Ramirez, Darwin Quintero
All-Time Series
- Overall: Houston Dynamo 1 win, 5 goals … Minnesota United FC 1 wins, 5 goals .. 2 draws
- At Houston: Dynamo 1 win, 4 goals … Minnesota United FC 0 wins, 3 goals … 1 draw
- Last meeting at Houston: Houston Dynamo 2, Minnesota United FC 1 (Sept. 30, 2017)
Officials
Referee: Kevin Stott
Assistant Referees: Craig Lowry, Ian McKay
4th Official: Sorin Stoica
VAR: Rosendo Mendoza
