Recap: Minnesota falls in Houston amid defensive difficulties

Minnesota United faced the Houston Dynamo at BBVA Compass Stadium on Saturday night, hoping to continue their brief winning streak and remain in mathmatical playoff contention. However, the Loons’ defense was not at its best, and it eventually collapsed in the second half.

Adrian Heath sent the same lineup out for the third consecutive game. The game started out slowly, especially for TV viewers who struggled to watch through network difficulties. Bobby Shuttleworth was the man of the first half, coming up with spectacular saves to deny Houston more than a few goals.

United showed some signs of life as action resumed in the second half, but it was Houston’s Alberth Elis who used his head to find the back of the net first.

There was still plenty of time left in the game for defensive difficulties to continue for the Loons, and it was Romell Quioto who doubled the hosts lead with a header of his own.

Adrian Heath tried to inject some attacking potential into the team, sending in rookie Abu Danladi, forward Johan Venegas, and even pulling a defender in exchange for Sam Nicholson. The Scot would pull one back in stoppage time, but Nicholson’s goal wasn’t the start of a rally, merely a bright spot in an otherwise dark performance.

Minnesota’s Unified Team will face off against Houston’s squad tomorrow. The Loons face fellow expansion club Atlanta United in their new stadium in midweek.