Houston Dynamo FC fell to Minnesota United FC by a 2-1 scoreline tonight at BBVA Stadium.
The Dynamo jumped out to an early lead within the first 60 seconds thanks to an excellent combination play between midfielder Adalberto “Coco” Carrasquilla and forward Fafa Picault. After forward Maxi Urruti won the ball in the attacking third, Carrasquilla headed it wide to Picault. The forward took a touch before playing a low ball back in to Carrasquilla, whose first-touch effort found the back of the net just 56 seconds into the match.
The goal was the fourth-fastest goal in Dynamo history and the earliest goal since Andrew Wenger scored 52 seconds into a 3-1 win over Montreal on July 5, 2017. It was Houston’s sixth goal inside the opening minute in Club history.
Minnesota equalized in the 16th minute off of a free kick. Wil Trapp served the initial ball into the penalty area and it was flicked to the back post where Ethan Finlay played it back across the face of goal for Adrien Hunou to tap into the net.
The visitors took the lead in the 73rd minute when Hunou ran in behind the Dynamo back line and slipped a shot past the outstretched leg of Houston goalkeeper Michael Nelson. Moments earlier, Nelson had come up with an acrobatic diving save to keep the score level at a goal apiece. The Katy, Texas native was credited with XXX saves in his Major League Soccer debut.
The Dynamo harassed the Minnesota net throughout the final 15 minutes plus stoppage, but were unable to find the equalizer. Picault nearly found the net for the fourth consecutive game in the 86th minute, rising high to head a corner kick on target, forcing a save from Miller. A minute later, midfielder Joe Corona collected the ball near the top of the penalty area and turned to fire a left-footed shot which drew another Miller save.
Houston will continue a stretch of three straight home matches next Friday night when they welcome the Portland Timbers to BBVA Stadium. That match will be the Club’s annual Soccer Kicks Cancer Night, with a variety of fundraising initiatives and programmatic elements centered around the effort to treat and cure pediatric cancer.
