2020 MLS Regular Season – Week 9
Houston Dynamo vs. Minnesota United
BBVA Stadium – Houston
September 2 – 8:00 PM ET
STREAMING: MLS LIVE on ESPN+ in US, on DAZN in Canada
LOCAL TV: QuestTEXAS Ch. 55, FOX Sports North Plus
For the first time since being traded in November, Darwin Quintero meets his former team as the Houston Dynamo take on Minnesota United at BBVA Stadium Wednesday night.
The Dynamo are unbeaten in their last three games and are coming off an stunning 5-2 win at Sporting Kansas City, Tab Ramos' first as an MLS head coach. The Loons are winless in their last four and have suffered consecutive defeats after falling to FC Dallas, 3-1, Saturday.
The Dynamo have won the last three meetings in Houston, the last two coming without conceding a goal, including a 2-0 victory last September on goals late in the first half by Mauro Manotas and Christian Ramirez.
Houston Dynamo
A second-half brace by Quintero followed goals by Alberth Elis, Ramirez and Niko Hansen in a resounding 5-2 win over Sporting KC on the road last Wednesday. And while it was the team's first victory of 2020, Ramos said it was "brewing."
“It feels really good, I’m happy the team once again made a great effort,” Ramos said in his post-match comments “But I have to say, this one was coming, this one didn’t happen today. Unfortunately, we had not been getting the results, but I know its been coming.”
Could attacking help be on the horizon? The Dynamo are reportedly close to adding 21-year-old Instituto forward Mateo Bajamich.
- Updated team roster
- Injury Report:
- OUT: Michael Salazar (F) - right knee injury
- QUESTIONABLE: Alberth Elis (F) - lower back injury
- QUESTIONABLE: Mauro Manotas (F) - thigh injury
- Suspended: None
- Suspended after next caution: None
- International duty: None
Minnesota United
After their first defeat of the 2020 regular season, Minnesota United suffered a second consecutive setback, losing at FC Dallas Saturday night. Are they trending the wrong way with just one victory in their last seven across all competitions? Adrian Heath scoffed at that thought, but the coach said he was "as disappointed as I’ve been with this group for maybe a couple of years"
"Forget the tactics, forget the shape, forget the system. It don’t matter," Heath said. "If the opposition want to run around more than you, and they want to tackle more than you and they want to get the ball forward and get on the second ball, that’s not changed. That’s not changed from the ‘70’s to what it is now. If you don’t compete against Liverpool, Bayern Munich and all these teams, they run all over you. So, if it’s good enough for them, trust me. It’s good enough for Minnesota United. Or, it will be."
On Tuesday, Minnesota United announced the long-awaited signing of attacking midfielder Emanuel Reynoso from Boca Juniors on a DP deal. Reynoso has received his ITC and is eligible to make his Minnesota United debut against Houston.
- Updated team roster
- Injury Report:
- OUT: Tyler Miller (GK) - hip injury
- OUT: Ike Opara (D) - undisclosed injury
- QUESTIONABLE: Jacori Hayes (M) - left hamstring injury
- Suspended: None
- Suspended after next caution: None
- International duty: None
Series Matchup at Dynamo
- Dynamo: 3 wins, 9 goals
- Minnesota United: 0 wins, 3 goals
- 1 draw
Officials
- Referee: Allen Chapman
- Assistant Referees: Corey Parker, Chris Elliott
- 4th Official: Luis Guardia
- VAR: Daniel Radford
