Enemy Scouting Report - Minnesota United
(image via Minnesota United FC)
The Houston Dynamo’s perfect streak at home ended over the weekend after a 9-man Dynamo couldn’t keep Seattle Sounders from finding the back of the net. A tough loss for Houston. But now the team will hope to reassemble without Hector Herrera and Amine Bassi, on their first regular season road trip in over a month, against Minnesota United. Happy birthday Dylan Wolpers!
The Loons have had an interesting start to the season as their star player, Argentine Emanuel Reynoso, was suspended without pay by the league back in February. The good news for Minnesota is that as of yesterday, Reynoso was given an all clear by Major League Soccer to return to play. He is expected to return to training with the club next week, meaning he won’t feature in tonight’s match or Tuesday’s Open Cup meeting.
Adrian Heath has heavily relied on Reynoso since the Argentine arrived at Minnesota in 2020. Without him, Heath had to adapt his tactics with the Loons did well during the first 5 matches of the season. But now the team has not won a match in the last 6 games, and to make matters worse, the Loons have yet to win a match at home all season. They’ve drawn twice and lost twice at Allianz Field.
Taking Reynoso out of the picture, here are some players that the Dynamo will look to contain tonight. South African international Bongokuhle Hlongwane is currently the team’s top scorer. The forward has beat the keeper four times in twelve total matches, including the US Open Cup. Midfielder Kervin Arriaga is another player to watch, as the Honduran international commands the midfield and he will always be close to the ball. Lastly, we know the importance of a natural captain and leader. Unfortunately for Houston, Herrera’s leadership will be missed tonight, but the Loons will have Michael Boxall. The New Zealander is a rock on defense for Minnesota, who is also great in the air, usually getting the best out of aerial duels on both sides of the field.
Minnesota United Regular Season Record: 3W-5L-3D
Results in the last 30 days:
April 15 – Minnesota United 1-2 Orlando City
April 22 - Seattle Sounders 1-0 Minnesota United
April 25 - Detroit City FC 1-3 Minnesota United (USOC)
April 30 - Minnesota United 0-0 FC Dallas
May 6 - Vancouver Whitecaps 3-2 Minnesota United
May 9 - Minnesota United 3-3 (7-6) Philadelphia Union (USOC)
May 13 - Sporting Kansas City 3-0 Minnesota United
Past Match Staring XI (from mlssoccer.com)
There will likely be some variation but look to see many of the players in the graphic starting.
2023 Active Roster
Goalkeepers: Clint Irwin, Eric Dick, Dayne St. Clair, Fred Emmings
Defenders: Zarek Valentin, Miguel Tapias, Doneil Henry, Mikael Marques, Bakaye Dibassy, Brent Kallman, Michael Boxall, Devin Padelford, Ryen Jiba, DJ Taylor, Kemar Lawrence
Midfielders: Joseph Rosales, Emanuel Reynoso, Jeong Sang-bin, Robin Lod, Wil Trapp, Hassani Dotson, Kervin Arriaga
Forwards: Franco Fragapane, Luis Amarilla, Tani Oluwaseyi, Bongokuhle Hlongwane, Cameron Dunbar, Mender Garcia, Patrick Weah
Will Houston bounce back after their first home loss and get all three points on the road for the first time this season?
