Preview: MNUFC looks to right the ship tonight in Houston

Minnesota United continues their saga in “Phase One” of the relaunched MLS season once again on the road in Texas tonight. The second of three games for the Loons comes against a Houston Dynamo team sitting near the bottom of the Western Conference, but MNUFC still has a tough challenge on their hands as Heath said post game on Saturday night.

“No. It’s obviously another away game. We’ve had 1-8, it’ll be by Wednesday? On the road? One home game. It’s difficult. It always is, in this league, on the road. It’s going to be no cooler I wouldn’t have thought, at night, in Houston. So, it’s going to be difficult. Obviously, the fact that they just come up with a really big win. Their first win. And, obviously, a few players, ex-players. So, we know it’s not going to be easy on Wednesday. Trust me.”

The big news of course is Minnesota’s signing of Emanuel Reynoso yesterday, his quarantine period officially ended last night meaning he can travel with the team and he may even make an appearance with his new club tonight in Houston. Which as we’ve discussed before he could be a huge help to the Loons current lack of an attack; and Bebelo wants to help his new club as well but knows there is work ahead.

“Honestly, first to get integrated into the group and with my teammates. I’m here to give my all, to work hard so we can accomplish great things at this great club. It’s growing, just like the league is growing. I’m here to give my all, give my little grain of sand of support and be in a good position with my coach and teammates.”

The key tonight however will be coming out and starting off a lot better than the Loons did against FC Dallas last weekend. In fact the abhorrant start by the club led to a four man sub at half time bringing on Chacón, Edwards, Dotson, and Toye to replace Amarillla, Lod, Molino, and Finlay. Mason Toye was amongst those who helped bring the energy off the bench and led the Loons to a goal just 10 minutes into the second half.

“The second half in Dallas was better, obviously the guys that came on we brought some really good energy. It’s a tough place to play with the heat and flying in the day of, but everybody is going to be going through that so there’s no excuse there. I thought we did a pretty good job and hopefully we can just carry that over to Wednesday in Houston and not have what happened in Dallas in the first half happen again.”

Another one of those guys was Raheem Edwards who has played a total of 98 minutes across 6 league matches this season. However in the brief time of playing he does have one assist, more than he had with Chicago Fire in 2019.

“I thought I brought something different every time I came on. I think I brought the energy levels up, I don’t know if that’s by me coming in or by coincidence but my job is to bring the energy and to bring something different to the game whenever I come on. Hopefully I can do that more often and contribute more in the final third whether that’s assists or goals.”

We do know that both Miller and Opara are out for Minnesota tonight with Miller being out for the season, but the injury bug has also hit Houston. Our pregame injury report is below and both teams will be looking at having 1-3 players each not on the roster tonight.

Injury Report:

Minnesota United FC

• Questionable: None
• Out: Ike Opara (undisclosed), Tyler Miller (hip)

Houston Dynamo

• Questionable: Alberth Elis (lower back), Mauro Manotas (thigh)
• Out: Michael Salazar (right knee)

Minnesota United will play Houston Dynamo tonight at 7:00 PM CT on FOX Sports North Plus and SKOR North. If you are out of market you can also catch the match via MLS Live on ESPN+ (US) or MLS Live on DAZN (Canada).