Minnesota United held on late for a 2-1 win over the Houston Dynamo, rallying from a 1-0 early deficit to put an end to a four-match losing streak.
The Loons lost Christian Ramirez with an apparent hamstring injury in the first half, but star winger Darwin Quintero converted a penalty in the 40th minute to tie the score at 1.
Bobby Shuttleworth kept it level when the Minnesota goalkeeper stopped a Mauro Manotas header on target in the 66th minute. Ibson's 70th-minute goal, off a redirected cross, gave Minnesota the lead for good.
Alberth Elis and Romell Quioto made their mark on the match quickly, the Honduran pair getting behind the Minnesota United defense. Quioto zipped up the left side and crossed to the back post, where Elis was waiting unmarked for his fourth goal of the season in the 10th minute.
Shuttleworth came up big in the closing minutes with two more key saves to keep Minnesota in front.
Goals
- 10' – HOU – Alberth Elis | WATCH
- 40' – MIN – Darwin Quintero (PK) | WATCH
- 70' – MIN – Ibson | WATCH
Three Things
- THE BIG PICTURE: Minnesota desperately needed a victory after giving up 10 goals in a four-match losing streak. The Loons got it, and the fleet-footed, cartwheeling Quintero was a hit in front of his home fans. Minnesota hosts four of the next five at TCF Bank Stadium with a chance to climb in the standings. Elis and Quioto are difference-makers for Houston, but almost disappeared after the first 10 minutes; an adjustment to keep them involved will be necessary going forward.
- MOMENT OF THE MATCH: Ibson managed to stay onside to get his legs on the Miguel Ibarra cross that led to his goal, and even though the play underwent Video Review, it ultimately stood.
- MAN OF THE MATCH: Shuttleworth bailed out his backline and came up with four saves, and each one was critical as the Dynamo had 19 shots to Minnesota’s six and had more possession and control of the ball in the attacking half. Quintero looked sharp and is certainly a factor, but the chants of Shuttleworth’s name from the crowd said it all.
Next Up
- MNUFC: Saturday, May 5 vs. Vancouver (2 pm ET | CTV, TSN - Full TV & Streaming Info)
- Dynamo: Saturday, May 5 vs. LA Galaxy (8:30 pm ET | TV & Streaming Info)
