Debutants lead Houston to crucial win over Minnesota
By Vicente Garcia Miale
The Houston Dynamo hosted Minnesota United FC in a midweek MLS clash. The team coached by Ben Olsen attempted to jump back into a winning streak after a tough 3-1 loss against Seattle. Houston is in penalty position of the Western Conference Standings with a 2-6-4 record. A well-positioned Minnesota (6-2-4) arrived in Houston after a hard-fought 4-1 victory over Lionel Messi’s Inter Miami, forcing eight rotations in Eric Ramsay’s starting team.
Fans at Shell Energy Stadium were welcomed with an even first half in which each team displayed its unique style of “football.” A Minnesota low block was challenged by Houston’s offense, which remained patient as it moved the ball from side to side, trying to find striker Ezequiel Ponce inside the box. Ramsay’s squad maintained tight lines and focused on vertical attacks, led by Kevin Yeboah’s strength and agility.
Houston’s offensive efforts and persistence led to a single goal scored by Colombian center back Pablo Ortiz. A failed Minnesota clearance after a corner kick landed in Amine Bassi’s feet, whose deflected shot was headed by the defender near the goal line. The 24-year-old made his debut against Seattle and received the chance to start for the first time as a Dynamo player. Ortiz tallied his first MLS goal, becoming the ninth player to score for Los Naranjas in the season and securing a 1-0 lead at the end of the first half. The defender exited the match in the 70th minute due to a muscular injury.
Minnesota’s low block slowly advanced and placed itself in Houston’s half in need of the equalizer as the second half unfolded. Fullbacks D.J. Taylor and Kieran Chandler began obtaining more one-beat-one chances down the wing, forcing Houston’s fullbacks to retreat, but not causing enough danger to defeat goalkeeper Jonathan Bond.
Brazilian defender Felipe Andrade, another young talent who started for the first time with the Dynamo, scored what caused great excitement at The Shell. A failed Minnesota clearance from a corner kick cross landed in the feet of the left back. The hard-driven left foot shot inside the box defeated goalkeeper Dayne St. Clair and pushed Houston 2-0 up in the score with a little more than ten minutes remaining.
The Dynamo sat back to secure a 2-0 win and earned three crucial points towards their fight to reach a playoff position.
Ben Olsen spoke about the team’s performance.
“It was a good win with a different lineup tonight. We were without some regulars, but we got the job done,” said Olsen. “Defensively, we were very sound, and it was nice to score another one later in the second half. Overall, it was just a really good performance from the group.”
Houston will travel to Dallas on Saturday, May 17, as they face Eric Quill’s team in another Texas Derby.
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