Minnesota United come into this game with a slow 1-4-1 record on the season with four team points. Although this team has started cold this season, forward Christian Ramirez has been hot with four goals already this season. Houston is 2-10-1 all-time in first matches against expansion teams, and Minnesota hopes to add 11 to the loss category.
The beginning of the first half of this matchup was very back and forth with both teams fighting for possession. Minnesota United getting an early free kick for tripping near midfield. A beautiful cross from Minnesota’s Midfielder Kevin Molino but it ends with a close header attempt by forward Christian Ramirez. Dynamo gained a corner kick in the ninth minute of play that ends with a blocked shot by veteran defender Demarcus Beasley of Dynamo. Another corner kick in the 10th minute of the game for Houston that ended up out of play. The Dynamo finally get the edge they were looking for in the 14th minute with a beautiful goal from forward Mauro Manotas off of an excellent pass from the other forward Erick Torres.
Minnesota’s Christian Ramirez had a fabulous run down the field in the 17th minute of play and just misses outside the post. Once again in the 18th minute Christian Ramirez with another run down the pitch that ended with a controversial no call from the referee. Two more crosses for the Dynamo in the 19th and 20th minute of play that end up with nothing. In the 22nd minute another significant opportunity that is once again wasted for Minnesota. In the 25th minute of the game, Minnesota had a huge chance to score from Christian Ramirez once again but was put to an end by a miraculous save by Joe Willis of The Dynamo. Mauro Manotas of The Dynamo getting another shot on goal in the 28th minute but eventually would be saved by goalkeeper Bobby Shuttleworth. In the 34th minute of play, Houston with a beautiful header in goal but called back for an unfortunate offsides call on Forward Alberth Elis. A yellow card was later issued in the 36th minute for Minnesota’s Jerome Thiesson. A crucial free kick awarded for The Dynamo in the 43rd minute that was then put in the goal by Alberth Elis which now makes it 2-0 Dynamo. That gives Elis his first goal since coming off of his injury. Bobby Shuttleworth of Minnesota was then taken out due to injury in the 45th minute. At the end of the first half, the score remains 2-0 as The Houston Dynamo are leading Minnesota United FC.
Minnesota gets control right away in the second half with a goal from Christian Ramirez off of a corner kick in the 47th minute. Ramirez now has five goals on the season. Minnesota gets three more corner kicks all in the 49th minute of play, and they get nothing out of it. Houston finally got a breakaway in the 52nd minute, but Ricardo Clark crosses the ball too far and another wasted opportunity for Houston. Minnesota scored the tying goal in the 59th minute of play. The goal was scored by number 11 Jonathan Vinegas. The Dynamo seemed to struggle to get past the defense of Minnesota until the 67th minute when they earned a corner kick. The corner was eventually headed out, and Minnesota wins the battle on defense once again. Both teams trying to take control of possession but both defenses held up well going into the 74th minute of play. In the 76th minute of the game, Romel Quioto’s return finally got here as he stepped in for Alberth Elis at forward. Quioto was out three weeks with a separated shoulder. The Dynamo went 1-2 while Quioto was injured. In the 80th minute, Minnesota misses just outside the post once again. Houston had a fabulous drive in the 82nd minute, and it resulted in a gorgeous cross by Quioto and a close miss by Cubo Torres. In the 85th minute, The Dynamo get a free kick for tripping that is eventually wasted over the post. The Dynamo earn another free-kick in the 88th minute of play that is finally cleared out by Minnesota. Houston gets another crucial free kick in the extra minutes of the second half but is cleared well by John Alvbage. The final whistle blew and the game ended in a draw. The final score ended with a 2-2 score.
Houston finished the game with 19 shots with six shots on target, and Minnesota United FC finished eight shots and two on goal. Houston controlled the possession with 52 percent to Minnesota’s 48.
Houston’s Head Coach Wilmer Cabrera commented on Romel Quioto’s return by saying he would have put him in earlier, but he was fresh off an injury. Cabrera also mentioned that the team also needs to be there through the whole game, not just 75 minutes.
The final here at BBVA ends in a draw 2-2.
The Dynamo face San Jose on April 22nd at 3 pm at BBVA Compass Stadium. You can find live updates on ESPN.com or follow The SkyBoat on Twitter.
