Dynamo visit Minnesota for clash with United: What to watch for
(image via Houston Dynamo FC)
The Houston Dynamo are back on the road tonight in the northern part of the country, this time for a meeting with Minnesota United. Houston was beaten by the Chicago Fire, on the road, last Saturday night. Minnesota is coming off a 1-1 draw with Real Salt Lake this past weekend.
When: Saturday, April 13 | 7:40 PM CT kickoff
Where: Allianz Field; St. Paul, Minnesota
TV/Stream: MLS Season Pass on Apple TV
Radio: TUDN Deportes Houston 93.3 FM (Spanish)
Rebounding on the road
Last weekend’s 2-1 loss felt like a game the Dynamo could have won. Franco Escobar gave away a silly penalty in the first half and Houston couldn’t close the match out after equalizing in the second half. The good thing about MLS is, the games come quickly so there isn’t a lot of time to dwell on past results. The Dynamo will do just that as they are back on the road tonight. Minnesota won both meetings between these two teams in MLS play last season but the Dynamo did win their match up in the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup.
South American duo
Sebas Ferreira and Micael missed last week’s loss with injuries. Ferreira had just gotten back into the goal column and Micael has been a rock on the defense since stepping in for Teenage Hadebe last season. Will they return tonight? Ben Olsen was asked if he had an update on their status this week and he simply said, “nope". Olsen plays things close to the vest and he’s doing it again to keep Minnesota in the dark. The false 9 experiment with Amine Bassi doesn’t seem to be yielding the results needed so Ferreira’s return could be big. Ethan Bartlow has played well when having to step in for Micael or Erik Sviatchenko and if the Brazilian can’t go tonight, look for him to do just that again.
Minnechester United
Minnesota announced the hiring of new head coach Eric Ramsay earlier this season. Ramsay joins Minnesota from Manchester United where he was an assistant under Erik Ten Hag with the Red Devils. The Loons have lost just once this season, led by their talisman Teemu Pukki. The Finnish striker scored his first Major League Soccer goal against the Dynamo in this fixture last season and Olsen called him a player that they will need to keep an eye on at all times. Even with Emanuel Reynoso’s drama, this United team under a former United assistant is very dangerous on the attack.
Houston Dynamo – Out: Hector Herrera (knee), Nelson Quinones (knee); Questionable: Franco Escobar (lower body), Micael (lower body), Sebastian Ferreira (lower body)
Minnesota United – Out: Emanuel Reynoso (not due to injury), Miguel Tapias (thigh), Zarek Valentin (thigh)
Predicted Lineup
