Houston Dynamo 2, Minnesota United FC 2 | 2017 MLS Match Recap

The Houston Dynamo were well on their way to continuing their perfect start at home against expansion Minnesota United on Saturday, but the improving Loons stunned their hosts with a pair of second-half goals that salvaged a 2-2 draw at BBVA Compass Stadium.

Mauro Manotas and Alberth Elis scored first-half goals for Houston, giving the Dynamo a seemingly comfortable two-goal lead. But goals by Christian Ramirez and Johan Venegas earned a point for Minnesota and left the Dynamo still unbeaten, but no longer perfect (3-0-1) at home. 

Goals

• 14' – HOU – Mauro Manotas Watch
• 43' – HOU – Alberth Elis Watch
• 47' – MIN – Christian Ramirez Watch
• 59' – MIN – Johan Venegas Watch

Three Things

SET PIECES AND RE-STARTS: The first Dynamo goal came off a quick throw-in by Ricardo Clark to Erick "Cubo" Torres, who hit a square pass to Mauro Manotas, at the penalty spot. The second goal came off a curling free kick by Boniek Garcia to the 6-yard box, where it was knocked in by Alberth Elis. Oh, and Elis had a goal disallowed for offside. That one came off a corner.

OVERCOMING ADVERSITY: You only get three substitutions in a 90-minute game, and you don't want to use them in the first half, usually. But Minnesota United had to make not one, but two first-half substitutions, because of injury. Rasmus Schuller walked off gingerly, touching his left hip, in the 43d minute, replaced by Miguel Ibarra. Then, in the first minute of first-half stoppage time, the Loons lost goalie Bobby Shuttleworth, who took a knee to the head from Alberth Elis as he was scoring Houston's second goal. Shuttleworth was replaced by John Alvbage, who made two saves and did not allow a goal.

THAT'S EFFICIENT:
 Two shots on goal, two goals for Minnesota. The Loons were outshot 19-8 and six of their eight shots were off target. That's OK. They scored goals on 100 percent of the shots they put on frame. Can't do much better than that.

Next Up

• HOU: Saturday, April 22 – vs. SJ (4 pm ET | UniMás, MLS LIVE, facebook.com/UnivisionDeportes/)
• MIN: Sunday, April 23 – vs. COL (6 pm ET | MLS LIVE)