A cool Minneapolis night will be the setting as the Houston Dynamo take on Minnesota United FC this Saturday (7 p.m. CT, KUBE 57). The Dynamo are 1-0-2 all-time against the Loons and they'll be looking to keep that undefeated record intact.
Houston is in search for their first road win after picking up two draws in their previous road games. The team is also looking to build their first winning streak of the season by following up on their 5-1 win against Toronto FC, but they don't expect it to come easy.
“It’s going to be a tough game because they attack wide a lot and they trust the ball a lot,” said head coach Wilmer Cabrera. “We need to be sharper and better doing that, because against Toronto FC we suffered a little bit in that aspect. Meanwhile, attacking-wise we were good, and we have to continue with that intensity and that mentality as well as that type of mobility.”
While the Dynamo have had a balance in their results with a 2-2-2 record, Minnesota United (2-5-0) is riding a four-game losing skid in which they've allowed at least one goal within the first 25 minutes of every match during the streak. The Loons have also lost two key players this season to ACL tears in midfielders Ethan Finlay and Kevin Molino – also the team's top scorers – to add to their defensive woes.
Minnesota have added Liga MX veteran Darwin Quintero to help their attacking corps of Christian Ramirez, Miguel Ibarra, and Abu Danladi. Quientro, who has a goal and an assist in two appearances, could be a threat out wide similar to what the Dynamo have in Alberth Elis and Romell Quioto.
“You have to treat him like any other player,” said goalkeeper Joe Willis. “Obviously, you get to watch video and see how he plays and his tendencies, but they have a lot of guys that can hurt you. I think we need to focus on ourselves, focus on staying organized, keeping our shape and we will fine.”
Willis picked up his first start of the season against Toronto and had six saves on the day. Defensively, the team looked well with the return of DaMarcus Beasley and Andrew Wenger’s debut at right back.
The club added two players to their roster this week in midfielder Luis Gil, who traveled with the team to Minnesota, and defender Adam Lundqvist. Mauro Manotas (4 goals in 2018), Alberth Elis (2 goals) and Romell Quioto – who had a role in all five goals against Toronto FC and named to the MLS Team of the Week – will lead the attack for the Dynamo.
cursorElementTracker1524856020520">“We need to keep playing, attacking, moving forward, pressing and controlling the ball. It will be very important for us, so that we can keep winning and start a winning streak,” said Quioto. “We are ready for this game and ready to get a positive result.”
