NEED TO KNOW:
Dynamo close two-game road trip in Minnesota after Wednesday’s game in Austin
Houston MF Adalberto Carrasquilla will be available pending P-1 visa
Dynamo return to BBVA Stadium on Aug. 14 to host Colorado Rapids
HOUSTON – Houston Dynamo FC close a two-game road trip on Saturday when they travel to Allianz Field for the first of three games against Minnesota United this season. Kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m. CT and fans can watch the match live on QuestTexas ch. 55 in English and TeleXitos ch. 47.2 in Spanish.
The Dynamo look to split the two-game road trip after falling 3-2 to Austin FC on Wednesday. Tyler Pasher earned his first start since returning from international duty on July 31. Pasher scored in the 27th minute to bring the Dynamo level at 1-1. Pasher’s goal was his fourth of the season, but the Canadian international left the game minutes later due to a lower leg injury and is listed as questionable for Saturday’s match.
Corey Baird also earned his first start with the team since joining the club on July 30. Fafa Picault scored his third goal of the season and brought Houston within one goal of earning a point against Austin. Picault is the first Dynamo player to score against both in-state rivals in the same season. The Dynamo forward also scored against FC Dallas on May 8 in Frisco.
Houston took the season series in 2020 with a 1-0-2 record against the Loons. The Dynamo won the first meeting 3-0 at BBVA Stadium and the next two games finished as 2-2 draws. Saturday is the first of two road trips to Minnesota this season and the Loons visit BBVA Stadium on Aug. 28.
The Dynamo return to BBVA Stadium on Saturday, Aug. 14 to host the Colorado Rapids at 7:30 p.m. CT.
Here are three key points ahead of Saturday’s game:
- DYNAMO BEGIN SECOND HALF AWAY FROM HOME: The Dynamo begin the second half of the season on the road and look to split a two-game road trip after Wednesday’s loss in Austin. Houston enters the game three points shy from the final playoff spot at this stretch of the season. Houston will look to capitalize on a heavier stretch of games at BBVA Stadium with 10 of the final 17 games in EaDo. The Dynamo will host three of their next four games at home beginning with the match against Colorado on Aug. 14.
- DYNAMO ADD MIDFIELD DEPTH: The Dynamo recently announced the acquisition of Adalberto Carrasquilla on loan from Cartagena FC in Spain. The midfielder will be eligible to play on Saturday pending receipt of his P-1 visa. Carrasquilla joins Houston after two seasons in LaLiga 2 with FC Cartagena making 49 appearances for the club. Carrasquilla joined Cartagena in 2019 and led the club to a promotion to LaLiga 2 following a 4-3 penalty kick shootout victory over Atletico Baleares on July 19, 2020.
3. MINNESOTA REBOUND AFTER SLOW START: Minnesota opened the season winless in their first four games and now enter Saturday’s game with 23 points and sixth in the Western Conference. The Loons have only lost once at home this season and after their 2-2 draw with Vancouver on Saturday they are unbeaten in their last four games. The Dynamo backline will be tasked with containing a midfield that features Robin Lod and Emanuel Reynoso, the duo combines for seven goals and nine assists. Defensively, Dayne St. Clair returns from international duty with Canada at the Concacaf Gold Cup.
