Recap | Minnesota United – 2, Houston Dynamo – 1 | Minnesota United FC

An injury-riddled Minnesota United stored their hot-streak alive on their journey all the way down to Area Metropolis this weekend to tackle Western Convention foes Houston Dynamo FC. Regardless of not seeing a lot of the ball, the Loons had been in a position to take down Texas’ third-best MLS staff by a rating of 2-1. Although they began sluggish, MNUFC weathered the storm and took their probabilities after they got here.

Proper off the whistle, Houston appeared primed and prepared for this recreation. They got here out with an vitality and composure on the ball that certainly inspired the Dynamo devoted, limiting the Loons to simply about 30% possession within the opening 45 minutes.

The energetic dynamo probed and prodded the Minnesota United again line, discovering that whereas it will bend, the Loons refused to interrupt. Any try that MNUFC made to counter was smothered shortly, as Houston seemed to be in all places directly. The absences of each Wil Trapp and Emanuel Reynoso had been obtrusive, as their staff struggled to maintain possession and construct any significant momentum.

For giant parts of the half, the Dynamo had been calm and in management. They remoted opposing attackers and stretched the Loons to nice impact, leaving them with nowhere to go and no assist to search out.

Regardless of sustaining overwhelming possession of the ball, the house staff struggled to discover a breakthrough, failing to register a single shot on purpose. Hector Herrera’s class was evident all through, however his playmaking solely went to this point, because the gamers on the tip of his passes frequently bumped into a robust MNUFC protection.

The torpid guests discovered their toes within the thirtieth minute, as they started making use of strain and successful the ball within the attacking third. Houston’s early dominance was fading away, leaving a extra aggressive match in its wake.

It appeared as if the rating can be degree on the half, however Bongokuhle Hlongwane had different concepts. After selecting up the ball previous midfield, Hlongwane drove ahead, weaving by means of Houston defenders with velocity earlier than slotting a by means of ball into the 18 for Franco Fragapane. The MNUFC winger’s excellent run noticed him ghost behind the Dynamo protection, go away Steve Clark flailing, and end into an open web throughout stoppage time. The Loons took an unlikely 1-0 lead into the break after managing only one shot on purpose within the half.