MLS Houston Dynamo FC

Houston Dynamo FC Host Minnesota United Prior to Two-Game Road Trip

Published on July 22, 2022 under Major League Soccer (MLS)
Houston Dynamo FC News Release


HOUSTON - Houston Dynamo FC return to PNC Stadium on Saturday for the final home game of the month as they host Minnesota United FC. The Dynamo look to build on their last outing, a 2-1 victory on the road against the San Jose Earthquakes last Sunday.

Dynamo forward Sebas Ferreira scored the equalizer for Houston on Sunday after Fafa Picault won the ball in the final third. Ferreira was unmarked in the heart of the box and finished at the near post for his seventh goal of the regular season. Houston would score the go-ahead goal following a similar play after Darwin Quintero won the ball in the final third and dribbled into space to find rookie forward Thor Ulfarsson. The Duke University product tallied his fourth goal of the year and needs to score one more to match former Dynamo forward Will Bruin for the most goals scored in a rookie season for the team.

Defensively, Tim Parker made the play of the game in the 74th minute when he denied Jeremy Ebobisse at the goal line. Parker finished with seven clearances and three interceptions on Sunday in San Jose. Parker's performance earned him MLSSoccer.com Team of the Week honors.

This is the first meeting of the season between both teams and the Dynamo enter Saturday's game with a 4-1-2 record at home against Minnesota. The Loons swept the series last year and the Dynamo look to earn their first victory in the series since a 3-0 triumph at home on Sept. 2, 2020.

Minnesota returns to league action after a midweek friendly with Everton Football Club from the English Premier League. The Loons recently defeated D.C. United 2-0 at home on Saturday with a brace from Emanuel Reynoso. The 2022 MLS All-Star leads Minnesota in goals with nine and assists with five. With the victory over D.C. United the Loons enter Saturday's game unbeaten in their last five matches and in fourth place in the Western Conference.

The Dynamo begin a two-game road trip next week as they travel to Pennsylvania to face the Philadelphia Union on July 30. Five days later the Dynamo travel to Vancouver to face the Whitecaps for the second time this season. The Dynamo returns to PNC Stadium on Aug. 13 to host Club de Foot Montreal.

WHO:

Houston Dynamo FC vs. Minnesota United FC

WHEN:

Saturday, July 23 - 7:30 p.m. CT

TV:

AT&T SportsNet (Glenn Davis, Eddie Robinson and Daniela Rodriguez)

RADIO:

TUDN Deportes Houston 93.3 FM (Daniel Mejia and Cesar Procel)

Here are three key points ahead of Saturday's game:

1. DYNAMO CAPTAIN EARNS FIRST TRIUMPH: Héctor Herrera donned the captain's armband for his first 90-minute shift for the club on Sunday. The midfielder has worn the armband in all three appearances for the team, beginning with his debut on July 9 against FC Dallas. Herrera is the fifth player to wear the armband this season and he finished with four recoveries against the Earthquakes and created one chance in the opposing half. Herrera will look to maximize this stretch of games with the Dynamo prior to the international break at the end of the season as Mexico prepares for the 2022 FIFA World Cup. Herrera will also represent the Dynamo at the All-Star Skills Challenge in August, as part of the MLS All-Star Game festivities.

2. DYNAMO LOOKS FOR MOMENTUM AFTER MILESTONE VICTORY: The victory in San Jose was Houston's third triumph away from home this season, a first for the team since the 2014 season. Houston will look to build on that performance beginning with Saturday's match, the first of six matches left at PNC Stadium this season. Houston sits two points shy of the final playoff spot with nearly a third of the season left to play. Houston reached 25 points with their victory on Sunday and the team looks to crack the 50-point threshold for the first time since the 2017 season. The Dynamo have qualified for the postseason each time they have surpassed the 50-point threshold (2007, 2008, 2012, 2013 and 2017). With 18 points available at home for the remainder of the season the Dynamo will look for key points away from home beginning with the two-game road trip at the end of the month.

3. MINNESOTA DOMINATE EVERTON IN MIDWEEK FRIENDLY: The Loons hosted Everton FC on Wednesday and throttled the English side 4-0 at Allianz Field. The victory came at a price as midfielder Emanuel Reynoso left the match minutes after scoring the opening goal of the game. Reynoso was replaced in the 22nd minute following a tackle on James Tarkowski. The Argentine playmaker is a key contributor to the Minnesota offense, he currently leads the team in both goals (nine) and assists (five). Reynoso has contributed to nearly half of the 29 goals scored by the Loons this season. The midfielder is currently listed as questionable for Saturday's game and the Loons will look to Luis Amarilla and Robin Lod for a spark in the final third on Saturday. The duo combines for 11 goals this season and are two of the four players on the team to score two or more goals this season for the Loons.

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