Recap: Loons Lead Lapses Late in Houston

An 11th minute goal pushed things in the right direction then a late 1st half goal gave Minnesota United a 2-0 lead. However that was all for not as Houston Dynamo would score twice to even up the score. After Jan Gregus was given a red card MNUFC would have to hold out the last few minutes just to secure a single point in Texas.

The Loons would come in with another bunch of changes from last weekends loss against Sporting Kansas City. Aja, Hayes, Musa, Edwards, and Hairston would all go from starting to being listed as subs. In their place would be Chase Gasper, Romain Métanire, Kevin Molino, Reynoso, and Robin Lod starting in their places.

The changes seemed to work wonderfully, super early as MNUFC got on the board first. After snagging the ball from a turnover Jan Gregus made the run down the field before hitting a pass to Molino. Molino would then take a few steps into the box before sending a nice low shot to the opposite corner to give the Loons the lead.

It was 1-0 for just a short time before Houston got their first big break of the night. A foul by Boxall inside the 18 would send Dynamo to the spot. Houston sent former Loon Darwin Quintero to take the penalty for the home side. Quintero fired to the shot to his right and Minnesota keeper Dayne St. Clair made a beautiful save to keep the match 1-0.

After a while of each team getting chances but no one scoring, the Loons broke things open again. Reynoso sent a nice ball to Lod who then crossed it to Molino. Kevin Molino took a shot and forced Marko Maric to make the save. Lod then picked up the loose ball and fired it into the net taking Maric with it.

The second half would start with a single change as José Aja came on to replace Bakaye Dibassy in the back four. With that sub Boxall with shit to LCB with Aja taking the spot at RCB.

Houston however would strike in the second half, and it was none other than our player to watch and former Loon, Darwin Quintero.

Shortly after the goal MNUFC would make their second sub of the night with Mason Toye coming off being replaced by Marlon Hairston in the 62nd minute.

Houston would however tie the match up in the 69th minute. Darwin Quintero took a free kick for Dynamo, and Dayne St. Clair would make the initial save. However Maynor Figueroa would sneak in and put the rebound in to even the score at 2 all.

Kevin Molino would NEARLY score for MNUFC after Robin Lod sent a beautiful cross to him. Unfortunately for the Loons the ball would hit the post and bounce out, along with that Molino would go down with a possible injury. After that play Aaron Schoenfeld would come on to replace Kevin Molino in the 86th minute. Just two minutes later Jan Gregus would be given a straight red, not only sending him off for the last few minutes tonight but also keeping him out for Wednesday against Columbus.

In the 90th minute Jacori Hayes would come on to replace Emanuel Reynoso. At the end of the night the Loons would end up holding on for a single point, in what at one point looked to be an assured three.