Minnesota United Earns 1-1 Draw on the Road Against Houston Dynamo FC

July 13, 2024 – Major League Soccer (MLS)
Minnesota United FC News Release

HOUSTON — Midfielder Robin Lod notched his sixth goal of the 2024 MLS regular season to help the Loons earn a hard-fought 1-1 draw and a point on the road Saturday night against Houston Dynamo FC at Shell Energy Stadium. The draw broke MNUFC’s six-game losing streak ahead of two home games next week against D.C. United and the San Jose Earthquakes.

4′ – Early in the match, Minnesota United had two back-to-back opportunities to goal after Carlos Harvey served a long-ball up the pitch where he found Bongokuhle Hlongwane in Houston Dynamo’s half. Hlongwane passed it back to Robin Lod who dribbled to goal and laid it off to Joseph Rosales on the left flank. Rosales’ shot on goal was deflected back out into play where midfielder Hassani Dotson gained possession outside the box, passing it off to Sang Bin Jeong on the right flank. Jeong crossed the ball into the six-yard box and found Hlongwane on the run for a one-touch to goal, but the shot hit the post.

24′ – Houston Dynamo FC found their first close chance on goal after Amine Bassi split Minnesota’s defense with a through ball where he found Aliyu Ibrahim on the left flank. Aliyu, inside the 18-yard box, cut the ball back to his right foot for a shot on goal that went wide of the far post and out of bounds.

32′ – MNUFC goalkeeper Alec Smir made a crucial diving save after Aliyu took a close-range shot from the left flank that Smir was able to deflect out, keeping the score level at 0-0.

51′ – Dynamo FC nearly scored after Aliyu gained possession on the left side, facing Smir for a one versus one to goal. Aliyu tried to touch around Smir, who was off his line, but went down inside the six-yard box, leaving the ball to go out of bounds.

70′ – The Loons took the lead after Rosales crossed the ball in from the left corner that was headed out of the 18-yard box, but MNUFC substitute Franco Fragapane found the other side of the clearance and passed it back to Rosales on the left side. Rosales crossed it into the box for the second time where midfielder Robin Lod was able to find a touch on the ball and tap it past Houston’s goalkeeper, Steve Clark.

79′ – Less than ten minutes after Minnesota scored the first goal of the match, Houston thought it had found the back of the net after a long ball from the right side found Bassi on the opposite side for a one-touch to goal. But, the sideline officially ruled Bassi offside right away, taking away…