Dynamo slip further down the slope and crash vs MNUFC
Written by David Garcia
After a dramatic comeback tie against Sporting Kansas City this past Saturday, the Houston Dynamo were defeated by Minnesota United 3-0 in the 17th edition of the Dylan Wolpers Derby.
The Dynamo came out pressuring and were comfortable in Minnesota’s final third in the early minutes until Bongokuhle Hlongwane, off a Daniel Steres clearance, was able to put the ball in the top corner in the 15th minute. It didn't just end there. Five minutes later, Emanuel Reynoso’s played a through ball that found new teammate, Teemu Pukki behind a Dynamo defense that was caught pushing forward. Starting the run from near the halfway line, Pukki was able to maintain control and opened up his body perfectly to slot the ball in the bottom corner.
Fighting throughout the rest of the first half, the Dynamo kept possession and got into the final third many times, but could not get a clear goal scoring opportunity which saw them end the half trailing by two.
To start the second half, Thor Ulfarsson and Ivan Franco were brought in to help the attack. Unfortunately, playing better on paper, late subs, tactics, and xG being the highest from the two sides, it all didn't matter to Ismael Tajouri-Shradi who sealed the game for the Loons in the 87th minute where he made it 3-0.
Despite winning in nearly every statistical category except goals (which matter), the Dynamo had: 73% possession, 24 shots, 607 passes (89% pass acc.), etc., Coach Ben Olsen stated when asked about the stats, “It doesn’t mean s**t.” Like Olsen, Artur also came out and said “We were not concentrated in crucial moments and that cost us."
The men in orange will need to quickly regain concentration as they travel to Colorado this Saturday to take on the Rapids, who as of July 12 are sitting last in the Western Conference. The teams will meet for the 44th time on Saturday after both matches in league play last year ended in 1-1 draws. After this match, the Dynamo will not have another MLS game until August 20th due to a league wide break for the Leagues Cup.