Match Preview: Loons head down to Texas for showdown with struggling Houston Dynamo side

On one of the best starts in club history Minnesota United heads back down to the Lone Star State for their first meeting of the season with Houston Dynamo. MNUFC sit second in the Western Conference at 6-2-4 (22 points) through 12 matches of the 34 match MLS campaign. Only Vancouver Whitecaps at 27 points best them in the West and after thrashing Miami last weekend, the Loons look to continue their recent spell of dominance. For more on the Loons heading into tonight our own Bridget McDowell spoke with Bayou City Soccer.

On the flip side of that Houston Dynamo have been struggling so far in 2025. At 2-6-4 (10 points) through 12 matches they sit at second bottom in the West ahead of only the winless LA Galaxy. For more on the Loons opponent we spoke with Dustyn Richardson the managing editor for our friends down at Bayou City Soccer for their insight on Houston Dynamo.

Opponent Insight with Bayou City Soccer

• Bayou City Soccer: I think the majority of the fan base realizes Olsen hasn’t been playing with a full deck. They lost Hector Herrera, Coco Carrasquilla, and Micael, and President of Soccer Pat Onstad even admitted they were too slow in replacing them. This team is slowly getting to full strength with the new signings and players returning from injury. This season has seemed to be a bit of a transition, as much as the fans may not want to hear that. Olsen will get the chance to see this core rebuilt and likely be back competing in 2026.

NSJ: What effect has new first-teamer Femi Awodesu had on the squad and how will his red card suspension (following his first goal + first red card performance at Seattle) effect Wednesday’s match?

• BCS: Awodesu’s suspension is even bigger when you consider his center back partner Erik Sviatchenko is nursing an injury and starting left back Franco Escobar is also suspended. New signing Pablo Ortiz will probably get his first MLS start, after starting in USOC last week, and newly promoted Dynamo 2 defender Felipe Andrade could start at left back if Daniel Steres doesn’t. A back four of Andrade, Ortiz, Ethan Bartlow, and Griffin Dorsey could have Minnesota’s attackers licking their lips.

• BCS: The departures I mentioned earlier were huge losses. Herrera had a down 2024 but was a Best XI player when healthy. Carrasquilla was the Concacaf Player of the Year and a huge cog in the system they run. Micael was blossoming into one of the best defenders in MLS. Losing those guys was never going to be easy to replace but they have tried. Jack McGlynn was bought from Philadelphia this offseason and is now finding success in the hybrid right wing role that Carrasquilla was so good at. The Dynamo hope Ortiz is the replacement for Micael, but they have yet to replace Herrera with a real number 8. Youngster Brooklyn Raines is being given that shot now, and to be fair is playing very well.

• BCS: New DP Ondrej Lingr was a bit of a question mark when Houston signed him but he burst onto the scene with a goal in each of his first two appearances. He gives the Dynamo a direct attacking threat that they haven’t had and has been a very pleasant surprise so far. I wouldn’t say he is necessarily struggling but Griffin Dorsey hasn’t been the dynamic attacking option from right back that he has in the past. With the new offensive additions, there’s hope he regains that.

• BCS: It will be interesting to see what Olsen does for the lineup but if I have to guess, it would be: Jonathan Bond; Felipe Andrade, Pablo Ortiz, Ethan Bartlow, Griffin Dorsey; Artur, Brooklyn Raines, Ondrej Lingr; Amine Bassi, Ezequiel Ponce, Jack McGlynn. As for a score, I honestly have a hard time seeing the Dynamo winning this one against an in-form Minnesota side. I may change when we do our picks on Bayou City Soccer but I’ll say a 1-1 draw.

News & Notes

Minnesota United are coming off a 4–1 thrashing of Inter Miami CF last weekend. Three goals scored by Loons plus an own goal from Inter Miami pushed the Loons to four goals. The fans who came to see Messi got their moment at Allianz with the former Barcelona star scoring the only goal for the Herons.

This morning (14-May) Minnesota signed Twos defender Kieran Chandler to his second short term agreement of the season. Chandler started for the first team in their US Open Cup win at Louisville City.

If you’re looking for a matchday watch party there are plenty to choose from. The Dark Clouds and Red Loons will be over at the The Black Heart of St. Paul on University Ave near Allianz Field. MNUFC’s club watch party will be held over at The Loop West End in St. Louis Park. True North Elite have theirs over in Minneapolis at Padraigs Brewing (FKA 612 Brewing) on NE Broadway.

Following a league investigation Joseph Rosales has been suspended for three matches. Rosales will miss matches against Houston Dynamo and both the MLS and US Open Cup matches against St. Louis CITY. His reinstatement is contingent upon completion of a league education program.

Availability

MIN | Out: Hassani Dotson (knee), Owen Gene (ankle), Kipp Keller (leg), Anthony Markanich (ankle), Joseph Rosales (suspended) ; Questionable: None

HOU | Out: Femi Awodesu (suspended), Lawrence Ennali (knee), Franco Escobar (suspended), Nelson Quinones (knee), Andrew Tarbell (knee) ; Questionable: Duane Holmes (lower leg), Daniel Steres (lower leg), Erik Sviatchenko (lower body)

Staff Predictions

Michael Lake: 1–0 Loonz with Houston getting a red card

MJ: 3–0 MNUFC

Tim McLaughlin: 1–1

Ashle Paige: 2–1 Loons

Seth Steffenhagen: 3–1 Loons

Bridget McDowell: 2–0 Loons, plenty of yellow cards