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It’s a clash of Western Conference playoff hopefuls; #3 Houston takes on #5 Minnesota. Darwin Quintero vs Alberth Elis. I spoke with Dynamo theory about the game and what to expect.
EPL: In short, How important of a role has Alberth Elis played in the Dynamo attack so far this season? Do you think he will still be a Dynamo player after the summer window?
DT: The Dynamo go as Elis goes. The bad news, or good news for Minnesota fans, is that Elis remains in the league’s concussion protocol after coming out of Saturday’s game against D.C. It doesn’t look likely that Elis will make the trip to Minnesota this weekend. Long term, I think Elis probably goes to Europe this summer. His stock has only risen since the rumors of him leaving surfaced this offseason. If the Dynamo can find an offer anywhere near $10 million, I think we see them sell.
- EPL: Tommy McNamara is having a bit of a revival season this Spring – what’s it like seeing him final find form again?
DT: I wrote about Tommy’s first goal for the Dynamo this week Anatomy of a Goal - Tommy Mac Opens His Account and I talked a little about how he’s such a fan favorite, around MLS even, so it has been great to see him have success. Wilmer Cabrera has mostly used him in the #10 role to spell Tomas Martinez and he’s done well when given the chance. Adding another scoring option, outside the main front 4 of Mauro Manotas, Alberth Elis, Memo Rodriguez, and Martinez is huge for the Dynamo.
Tommy McNamara scores the game winner, his first for the Dynamo.
EPL: What do the Dynamo need to do to keep the likes of Quintero and Finlay at bay? How do you break through the Loon defense and what do you need to do to win?
DT: Like Minnesota, Houston’s defense has improved a ton in 2019. Maynor Figueroa and Kiki Struna have been incredible additions at center back and Adam Lundkvist has been great at left back while DaMarcus Beasley has been injured. Figueroa and Struna will have to remain solid and get help from either Lundkvist or Beasley and AJ DeLaGarza at right back. To break down the Loons, the Dynamo will look to hit them on the counter. With Elis likely out you will likely see a front 3 of Manotas, Rodriguez, and Romell Quioto. When the Dynamo get the ball in midfield the front 3 will look to get forward at break-neck speed and that’s when Houston are at their most dangerous. In order to keep the Loons fans from singing “Wonderwall” the Dynamo have to be solid in the back and avoid turnovers in their midfield. I think they find at least one goal in this game.
My prediction will be the same as Jacob’s, both teams take home a point after a 1-1 draw.