The Houston Dynamo dropped a 1-0 decision at Minnesota United FC Saturday night at Allianz Field, spoiling the club’s first visit to Minnesota’s new home.
Minnesota took the lead in the 20th minute after Romain Métanire’s cross deflected off a Dynamo defender outside the box and looped into the Dynamo goal at the far post.
Minnesota United created the first dangerous chance of the game when forward Darwin Quintero hit the crossbar in the sixth minute. Midfielder Ethan Finlay found Quintero at the near post. The Colombian international lifted the ball to set himself up for a whirling side volley that bounced off the top corner.
Houston responded a minute later when Memo Rodriguez won space outside the penalty area by juking a defender, but his cross was handled by Vito Mannone inside the box. The Dynamo’s push for the first goal continued in the 15th minute after forward Mauro Manotas deflected a cross into the path of forward Romell Quioto. Quioto’s cross eventually fell to midfielder Tomás Martinez at the edge of the box, but his shot was off target.
Rodriguez found Quioto outside the six-yard box in the 21st minute, but his effort was blocked by a Minnesota defender. The rebound fell to Dynamo captain DaMarcus Beasley, but his shot was also blocked and cleared by the Loons backline.
Rodriguez’s cross in the 27th minute was cleared by Minnesota defender Brent Kallman and the rebound fell to midfielder MatÃas Veraoutside the box. Vera created space for a shot, but his effort went over the crossbar into the stands.
Houston’s first opportunity of the second half came off a corner kick in the 48th minute from Rodriguez that found Alejandro Fuenmayor at the back post. The defender made contact but his effort just missed the inside of the near post.
A minute later Rodriguez forced a save at the near post, the rebound fell to Manotas but his effort was off target.
Finlay nearly doubled Minnesota’s lead in the 55th minute after Miguel Ibarra filtered a ball to the midfielder inside the box. Finlay was pressured by Dynamo defender Kiki Struna and his effort was ultimately off target – going above the crossbar at the far post.
Houston pressed forward over the final 15 minutes in search of an equalizer, earning a pair of corner kicks, but were unable to find the breakthrough.
Dynamo defender DaMarcus Beasley, who earlier this week announced his decision to retire at season’s end, made the 200th start in MLS play in his legendary career.
The Dynamo return to BBVA Compass Stadium on Saturday, June 1 to host Sporting Kansas City on Soccer For All Night, presented by Heriberto Ramos. Tickers for that match are available online at HoustonDynamo.com or by phone at 713-276-4625 (GOAL).
Minnesota United (6-4-3; 21 pts.) 1-0 Houston Dynamo (7-3-2; 23 pts.)
MLS Regular Season, Week 13
Saturday, May 25, 2019 – Allianz Field – Minneapolis, Minnesota
Attendance: 19,701
SCORING SUMMARY:
MIN: Romain Métanire 1 (Jan Gregus 4) 20
LINEUPS:
Minnesota United FC: Vito Mannone; Romain Métanire, Michael Boxall, Brent Kallman, Hassani Dotson; Jan Gregus, Osvaldo Alonso ©; Ethan Finlay, Darwin Quintero (Rasmus Schüller 78), Miguel Ibarra (Ike Opara 83); Angelo RodrÃguez (Abu Danladi 65)
Substitutes not used: Dayne St. Clair, Wyatt Omsberg, Mason Toye, Lawrence Olum
Total shots: 15 (Darwin Quintero 4); Shots on goal: 4 (Romain Métainire, Darwin Quintero, Angelo Rodriguez, Rasmus Schüller 1);Fouls: 13 (Brett Kallman, Romain Métanire, Angelo Rodriguez 2); Offside: 2 (Ethan Finlay, Angelo Rodriguez 1); Corner kicks: 3 (Jan Gregus 3); Saves: 3 (Vito Mannone 3)
Houston Dynamo: Joe Willis; DaMarcus Beasley ©, Alejandro Fuenmayor (Kevin Garcia 69), Kiki Struna, A.J. DeLaGarza; MatÃas Vera, Boniek GarcÃa, Tomás MartÃnez (Marlon Hairston 75); Memo Rodriguez, Mauro Manotas, Romell Quioto (Tommy McNamara 62)
Substitutes not used: Tyler Deric, Darwin Cerén, Juan David Cabezas, Adam Lundkvist
Total shots: 15 (Tomás MartÃnez 3); Shots on goal: 3 (Memo Rodriguez 2); Fouls: 13 (Alejandro Fuenmayor, Boniek GarcÃa 3); Offside: 2 (Mauro Manotas, Memo Rodriguez 1); Corner kicks: 5 (Memo Rodriguez 3); Saves: 3 (Joe Willis 3)
DISCIPLINE:
HOU: Alejandro Fuenmayor (caution; foul) 40
HOU: Boniek GarcÃa (caution; foul) 66
MIN: Romain Métanire (caution; foul) 90
OFFICIALS:
Referee: Joseph Dickerson
Assistant Referee: Corey Rockwell
Assistant Referee: Logan Brown
Fourth Official: Victor Rivas
VAR: Jose Carlos Rivero
Weather: 66 degrees; Clear skies
