Fresh off the back of a thrilling friendly win over Everton, Minnesota United take a trip to the PNC Stadium to square off against Houston Dynamo on Saturday.
The hosts, meanwhile, will head into the weekend seeking to get one over the Lions having failed to win any of their previous five encounters since September 2020.
Match preview
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Houston Dynamo showed real character last Monday when they fought back from one goal down to secure a 2-1 victory away to San Jose Earthquakes.
Following a drab first half at the PayPal Park, Jackson Yueill struck eight minutes after the restart to put the hosts ahead, and Sebastien Ferreira and Porleifur Ulfarsson scored in a five-minute spell to turn the game on its head.
Prior to that, Paulo Nagamura's men were on a run of four consecutive games without a win, picking up one draw and suffering defeats against Portland Timbers, Charlotte FC and Austin FC respectively.
With 25 points from 21 games, Houston Dynamo are currently 11th in the Western Conference standings, but could rise as high as seventh place with all three points this weekend.
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Elsewhere, Minnesota United turned in a performance of the highest quality as they cruised to a 4-0 victory over Premier League side Everton in a friendly clash on Thursday morning.
Goals from Emmanuel Reynoso and Luis Amarillo and an own goal from James Tarkowski saw the Loons head into half time with a three-goal lead, before Abu Danladi put the icing on the cake with a 78th-minute strike.
Adrian Heath's men now turn their sights to the MLS, where they are currently on a five-game winning streak, picking up one draw and four wins, including a 2-0 victory over DC United on Sunday.
This fine run has been owing to their impressive display in the final third as they have scored 12 goals in their last five outings, while shipping six since a 2-1 loss against Inter Miami on June 26.
Minnesota United have picked up nine wins, four draws and lost eight of their 21 games so far to collect 31 points and sit fourth in the west, 11 points off first-placed Los Angeles FC.
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Team News
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Ferreira staked his claim for a starting role last time out when he opened the scoring against the Earthquakes after coming off the bench, and the Paraguayan international should come into the fold this weekend.
With his winner in the aforementioned game, Ulfarsson now has four goal involvements in his last six outings and the 21-year-old should spearhead the attack once again.
At the opposite end of the pitch, the duo of Tim Parker and Teenage Hadebe have been ever-present for the Orange Crush and we expect them to pair at the centre of the defence line once again, shielding Steve Clark in goal.
Meanwhile, Minnesota United will be without several key players down the spine of the team as defender Romain Metanire, midfielder Tani Oluwaseyi and forward Niko Hansen continue their spells on the sidelines.
The duo of Kervin Arriaga and Hassani Dotson adds to the Loons' midfield crisis as they are currently recuperating from ankle and ACL injuries respectively, while Patrick Weah has been out of action since last October.
Reynoso has been a star performer for Minnesota this season, netting nine goals and setting up three more in 21 appearances and the Argentine midfielder will certainly be one to keep an eye out for.
Houston Dynamo possible starting lineup:
Clark; Zeca, Parker, Hadebe, Lundqvist; Picault, Carrasquilla, Vera, Rodriguez; Ceren, Ulfarsson
Minnesota United possible starting lineup:
Clair; Taylor, Boxall, Dibassy, Lawrence; Trapp, Lod; Hlongwane, Reynoso, Fragapane; Amarilla
We say: Houston Dynamo 0-2 Minnesota United
Buoyed by their win over the Earthquakes, Houston Dynamo will head into the weekend with renewed belief as they look to move into the playoffs places. However, they face the stern test of facing a Minnesota side who are unbeaten in six stinger games across all competitions.
Looking at the difference in form and recent results between the sides, we are backing the Loons to pick up where they dropped off last time out and claim all three points in this one.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Top tip
Joshua Ojele
