The Houston Dynamo close a 15-day stretch on Sunday with their fifth game since Oct. 3. The Dynamo travel to Allianz Field to face Minnesota United FC in the third and final meeting of the regular season between both clubs.
Houston aims to break a two-game losing streak, the first of the season, after they fell 3-1 to Nashville SC on Wednesday at BBVA Stadium. Dynamo forward Mauro Manotas earned the assist on Darwin Quintero’s goal, Manotas’ first of the season, and that was Manotas’ first contribution to a goal since his game-winning tally on Sept. 5 against Sporting Kansas City. The Dynamo forward looks to snap the nine-game scoreless streak on Sunday, the longest streak in his career since the 2016 season, then a 21-year-old in his second season with the club
Houston will look to earn their fifth victory in the all-time series against Minnesota. Houston claimed a 3-0 victory in the first meeting between both clubs on Sept. 2. Both teams split points on Sept. 19 in the last meeting between the Dynamo and Minnesota, settling for a 2-2 draw at BBVA Stadium.
Minnesota enter Sunday’s game in sixth place in the Western Conference and this is the first game for the Loons since a scoreless draw with Nashville SC on Oct. 6. Minnesota’s match against the Chicago Fire FC on Saturday was canceled out of precaution after two players tested positive for Covid-19.
The Dynamo return to BBVA Stadium on Oct. 24 to host Columbus Crew SC. The match against Columbus will be the final game against a team from the Eastern Conference during the regular season. Houston will close the season on the road against LAFC, FC Dallas and host the Colorado Rapids for Decision Day on Sunday, Nov. 8.
Here are three key points ahead of Sunday’s game:
<strong>WHO:</strong> |
<p>Houston Dynamo at Minnesota United FC</p> |
<strong>WHEN:</strong> |
<p>Sunday, Oct. 18 – 7:00 p.m. CDT</p> |
<strong>TV:</strong> |
<p>QuestTexas Ch. 55 (Glenn Davis and Eddie Robinson)</p><p>TelExitos Ch. 47.2 (Alex Parra and Enrique Vazquez)</p> |
<strong>RADIO:</strong> |
<p>TUDN Radio Houston 1010 AM (Daniel Mejia and Lester Gretsch) </p> |
- QUINTERO KEY TO OFFENSE: Darwin Quintero scored his seventh goal of the season on Wednesday and leads the team in both goals and assists with 15. The Colombian forward is currently tied for the second most goals and assists in MLS with Jordan Morris (15). Both attackers trail Toronto’s Alejandro Pozuelo who has combined for 18 goals and assists this season. Quintero enters Sunday’s game with back-to-back goals against his former team. The Dynamo hold a 3-1-2 record when the Colombian forward scores, with the only loss coming on Wednesday versus Nashville.
- COUNTDOWN TO DECISION DAY: The Dynamo enter the final five-game stretch of the season and have 15 points to play for. Houston currently sit two points from the final playoff spot in the Western Conference. Four of the next five opponents for the Dynamo currently sit in a playoff position and three of the remaining games will be on the road. The Dynamo will look to snap a two-game streak on Sunday and return to a playoff spot for the first time since Sept. 14.
- MINNESOTA RETURN TO PLAY: Minnesota United return to action on Sunday after their match against Chicago Fire FC last weekend was postponed due to positive Covid-19 tests. The Loons have one victory in their last five games and have been held scoreless twice in that stretch. The Loons offense is led by Kevin Molino who leads the team with seven goals and midfielder Jan Gregus who has recorded six assists. The Minnesota offense now features MLS-veteran Kei Kamara who scored his first goal for the club in the 2-0 victory over Cincinnati FC on Oct. 3.
