Enemy Scouting Report - Minnesota United
(image via Minnesota United FC)
The Houston Dynamo saw their three-match win streak end last Saturday against the Chicago Fire. Ben Olsen’s team lacked focus and self-discipline in two plays that saw the Fire get a penalty in their favor and a tremendous goal by their talented homegrown Brian Gutierrez. This weekend, the Dynamo will once again be on the road, this time around against a better team in Minnesota United.
Minnesota United has started the year very well under newly appointed manager Eric Ramsay. The young coach has relied heavily on club veterans like Wil Trapp, Michael Boxall, and Robin Lod as the drama with designated player Emanuel Reynoso ensues. Bebelo Reynoso has only played 30 minutes for the Loons in 2024 and is currently in Argentina after not attending a U.S. green card meeting. The man has once again gone AWOL. However, that has not deterred Minnesota United from finding success without their number 10.
The Loons have plenty of players that Houston will need to contain in the attack if the team hopes to not get a losing streak started in Minnesota. Bongokuhle Hlongwane has been a revelation for the team since his arrival in 2022. Hlongwane has appeared in 63 games for the Loons, scoring 12 goals and assisting 9 others. The South African international is a dangerous man near goal. Teemu Pukki is a well-recognized name for English Premier League fans after the Finnish striker became the all-time top goal scorer for Norwich City. Pukki has continued his form since arriving in MLS with Minnesota United, scoring 12 goals in 20 appearances. Pukki scored last season against Houston in what turned into a 3-0 loss at home for the Dynamo. The last player that I will mention is somewhat unknown to most in Tani Oluwaseyi. Oluwaseyi was drafted in 2022 by Minnesota with the 17th overall pick, playing mostly with Minnesota United 2 that year. The young Nigerian striker spent all of last season on loan with San Antonio FC in the USL Championship where he scored 17 goals in 25 games. This year, he has appeared in all 6 games for the Loons as a sub. However, Tani has scored 2 goals and assisted 2 more in his limited 134 minutes in 2024. Talk about a super sub.
Minnesota United Record: 6W-2D-1L
Results in the last 30 days:
March 9 - Orlando 2-3 Minnesota
March 16 - Minnesota 2-0 LAFC
March 19 - Minnesota 1-0 St. Patrick’s Athletic (friendly)
March 30 - Philadelphia 2-0 Minnesota
April 6 - Minnesota 1-1 Real Salt Lake
Past Match Staring XI (from fotmob.com)
There will likely be some variation but look to see many of the players in the graphic starting.
2024 Active Roster
Goalkeepers: Clint Irwin, Dayne St. Clair
Defenders: Devin Padelford, Zarek Valentin, Miguel Tapias, Derek Dodson, Michael Boxall, Morris Duggan, DJ Taylor, Victor Eriksson
Midfielders: Franco Fragapane, Joseph Rosales, Emanuel Reynoso, Sang Bin Jeong, Robin Lod, Wil Trapp, Alejandro Bran, Hassani Dotson, Kervin Arriaga, Caden Clark, Moses Nyeman, Carlos Harvey
Forwards: Tani Oluwaseyi, Bongokuhle Hlongwane, Teemu Pukki, Patrick Weah, Jordan Adebayo-Smith
Will the Houston Dynamo get back to their winning ways in Minnesota?
