New defenders lead Dynamo to 2-0 win over Minnesota
(image via Ricky Vega)
The Houston Dynamo welcomed Minnesota United to Shell Energy Stadium for a midweek clash in the Western Conference. Houston was looking to rebound after a disappointing loss at home on Saturday to the Seattle Sounders.
Head coach Ben Olsen was forced into some changes to his lineup. Felipe Andrade and Pablo Ortiz made their first MLS starts at left back and center back, respectively. Junior Urso also started in the midfield, alongside Artur.
Houston dominated the first half from the opening whistle, keeping Minnesota pinned into their own half for long stretches. Ezequiel Ponce rose to meet a Griffin Dorsey cross in the 15th minute but goalkeeper Dayne St. Clair did well to punch the shot over the bar.
Jack McGlynn saw a lot of the ball in the first half, especially on his left foot. His best attempt on goal came in the 37th minute. McGlynn found some space on the right side of the box, cutting onto his left, but curled his shot just wide of the goal.
It looked as though all the possession would for not until Ortiz popped up in the box on the stroke of halftime. A McGlynn corner wasn’t cleared all the way out and Amine Bassi shot the ball back in. The shot took a deflection and popped up in the air to Ortiz, who was still in the six yard box. He looked up to find the target and then nestled a header up and over the Minnesota defender on the line and into the back of the net to give the Dynamo a 1-0 lead in the first minute of first half stoppage time.
Houston had 74% possession in the first half and 11 shots to Minnesota’s 1. The Dynamo kept up their dominance into the second half. Ondrej Lingr snapped a low shot that St. Clair was able to get down and save in the 49th minute.
St. Clair was at it again in the 59th minute, parrying a left-footed laser from McGlynn away from goal. It looked as though St. Clair’s heorics would keep Minnesota in the match as they brought on four of their normal starters just after the hour mark.
It was another Dynamo player making his first MLS start, however, that would seal the game for Houston in the 77th minute. McGlynn lifted a ball into the box that Minnesota, once again, could not clear. It fell to Andrade near the penalty spot and his initial shot was blocked. The rebound fell back to his left foot and he tucked it away, past St. Clair to double the lead. Andrade and Ortiz both scoring in their first MLS starts, joined Ondrej Lingr as Houston players to accomplish that feat just this season.
When the final whistle blew, to give the Dynamo a 2-0 win, there was some relief around Shell Energy Stadium. This team has struggled at home this season, but to get a dominant win over a good Minnesota team, albeit not at full strength, should be a stepping stone for the remainder of a busy month of May.
The Dynamo will be right back at it on Saturday when they travel north up I-45 to Frisco to take on FC Dallas. Houston will be looking for a bit of revenge in this match as Dallas came to Shell Energy Stadium in the opening match of the 2025 season and picked up a victory.
