Short-Handed Dynamo Look to Rebound Against Rising Loons
(image via Diego Martinez)
The Houston Dynamo have another quick turnaround as they play their first midweek league match of the season tonight against Minnesota United at Shell Energy Stadium. Houston is coming off another disappointing home loss, losing 3-1 to the Seattle Sounders on Saturday after going down to 10 men. Minnesota comes into this match riding high after beating Inter Miami 4-1 last weekend.
When: Wednesday, May 14 | 7:40 PM CT kickoff
Where: Shell Energy Stadium; Houston, Texas
TV/Stream: MLS Season Pass on Apple TV
Radio: TUDN Deportes Houston 93.3 FM (Spanish)
Defensive Absences
Early in 2025, the Houston Dynamo defense has had its issues. Through injuries and young players learning on the fly, the back line has suffered. Tonight’s match will be another test through adversity. Erik Sviatchenko is still nursing an injury and Femi Awodesu and Franco Escobar are both suspended. That is three-fourths of what was the starting defense early in the season missing this match. Pablo Ortiz will likely get his first MLS start after starting last week in the Open Cup match against Phoenix and coming off the bench on Saturday against Seattle. Daniel Steres filled in at left back for Escobar over the weekend but Felipe Andrade could see time there against Minnesota. Whatever group is out there will be faced with yet another tough task going up against a Minnesota team who just put four past Miami.
Possession Again
Last season, the Dynamo had 26 straight matches where they had more possession than the opposing team. That streak spanned from the game in Dallas when Griffin Dorsey got an early red card until the first playoff game in Seattle when Coco Carrasquilla was sent off. In 2025, the Dynamo have had more possession than the opponent in just 7 of their 12 league matches. There has been talk lately about the “game model” and the way the Dynamo play, and possession is the foundation of that. Ben Olsen wants his team on the ball, controlling the pace and limiting chances for the other team. Game model isn’t something that can just change over night, the Dynamo aren’t going to recreate the way they have played for two-plus seasons at the drop of the hat. What they can do, though, is get back to that model that has worked and one big way to do that is to get on the ball more, make less mistakes, and control the game.
Loons Rising
Minnesota United comes to Houston the heels of a 4-1 beat down against Inter Miami on Saturday. The Loons currently sit in second place in the Western Conference with just two losses this season, and just won since the opening match of the year. Former Manchester United assistant Eric Ramsay’s stock in world football is rising as the 33-year-old continues to build Minnesota into one of the better teams in Major League Soccer. Canadian international Tani Oluwaseyi has continued his goal scoring form and fellow Canuck Dayne St. Clair has been one of the best goalkeepers in MLS again in 2025.
Houston Dynamo – Out: Lawrence Ennali (knee), Nelson Quinones (knee), Andrew Tarbell (knee), Franco Escobar (suspension), Femi Awodesu (suspension); Questionable: Daniel Steres (lower body), Duane Holmes (lower leg), Erik Sviatchenko (lower body)
Minnesota United FC – Out: Hassani Dotson (knee), Owen Gene (ankle), Kipp Keller (leg), Anthony Markanich (ankle)
Predicted Lineup
