Dynamo host reeling Minnesota United: What to watch for
(image via Houston Dynamo FC)
The Houston Dynamo are back at Shell Energy Stadium tonight for a Western Conference match up against Minnesota United. Houston’s match last weekend against LAFC was ultimately postponed as Hurricane Beryl made its way into the Texas coast. Minnesota lost 2-1 to the LA Galaxy on Sunday, their sixth straight loss.
When: Saturday, July 13 | 7:40 PM CT kickoff
Where: Shell Energy Stadium; Houston, TX
TV/Stream: MLS Season Pass on Apple TV - Free
Radio: TUDN Deportes Houston 93.3 FM (Spanish)
713 Night
July 13th represents a holiday for Houstonians with 713 being the original area code for the city and giving the locals a chance to celebrate our great city. It takes on a little more meaning this year as many around Houston are still dealing with power outages and damages caused by Hurricane Beryl. The Dynamo will be hosting a food drive with donation bins set up on Orange Avenue and at stadium gates, and purchase of a $13 ticket will give $13 from Dynamo and Dash Charities to relief efforts around town. For more information about all the activities the club has planned tonight, you can visit this website.
Hitting Their Stride
The Dynamo come into tonight not having played since July 3rd and as close to full strength as they have been all year. Only Nelson Quinones remains on the availability report and Coco Carrasquilla has returned from Copa America. Head coach Ben Olsen spoke about the depth and having some players who won’t make the game day roster now. Olsen’s club is going to get even deeper as the MLS transfer window opens next week. Striker Ezequiel Ponce will be available to debut in the Dynamo’s next match against Vancouver and reports that winger Lawrence Ennali will also be signed soon. Olsen hinted at even another attacking option in his weekly press conference as the Dynamo look to climb the table in the Western Conference and make another deep postseason run.
Minnesota Mess
Minnesota United has lost their last six matches in MLS play and the Loons now sit below the playoff line in 10th place in the Western Conference. Head coach Eric Ramsay joined earlier this season from Manchester United and has a big job on his hands. DP playmaker Emanuel Reynoso has finally left the team for Liga MX after two drama-filled years. Canadians Dayne St. Clair and Tani Oluwaseyi are still at Copa America for tonight’s third place match. The Dynamo won the first match up between these teams earlier this season in Minnesota and if they do the double tonight could send the Loons to a very unlucky seven defeats in a row.
Houston Dynamo – Out: Nelson Quinones (knee), Franco Escobar (yellow card accumulation)
Minnesota United – Out: Hugo Bacharach (knee), Clint Irwin (leg), Moses Nyeman (ankle), Tani Oluwaseyi (international duty), Dayne St. Clair (international duty), DJ Taylor (leg), Wil Trapp (leg)
Predicted Lineup
