Minnesota United will be aiming to earn their first win of the month when they host Houston Dynamo at Allianz Field in MLS on Wednesday evening.
The Loons' winless run in the league extended last time out with a loss at Sporting Kansas City, while Houston were defeated by Seattle Sounders on home soil.
Match preview
© Reuters
Minnesota's winless streak in MLS extended to six matches on the weekend in a humbling 3-0 defeat at Children's Mercy Park against Peter Vermes's Sporting KC side.
Goals from Daniel Rosero and Daniel Salloi had the hosts two ahead within the opening 25 minutes, and substitute Gadi Kinda added a third late on to condemn United to their heaviest defeat so far this year.
Excluding Open Cup successes against Detroit City and Philadelphia Union, Adrian Heath's men have failed to win since their first game of April, with a Luis Amarilla penalty securing a 1-0 victory against MLS debutants St Louis City.
The Loons currently sit ninth in the Western Conference standings - their position in the playoffs is under imminent threat with strugglers Sporting KC just three points behind in 14th.
Allianz Field has not been a happy hunting ground for Minnesota so far this season, with only three of their 12 MLS points coming in front of their home faithful in Saint Paul.
© Reuters
Houston's six-game unbeaten run came to an end on the weekend after they narrowly lost out to Western Conference leaders Seattle at Shell Energy Stadium in Texas.
The hosts played a large part of the contest with 10 men - and the final 12 minutes with just nine - a numerical disadvantage which helped the Sounders find a late winner through substitute Paul Rothrock.
Despite a chaotic match last time out, manager Ben Olsen will be pleased with how his men have started their 2023 campaign after a disappointing 2022 which saw them finish 25th in the Supporters Shield.
Orange Crush El Naranja are seventh in the Western Conference after 10 matches and possess a defensive record which can only be bested by Los Angeles FC so far this term, with Olsen's side having conceded just nine goals.
Houston have struggled on their travels so far, collecting just a single point from a quartet of away matches in MLS - that result came at New York Red Bulls last month.
Team News
© Reuters
Minnesota centre-back Mikael Marques is expected to be sidelined until later this month due to an ankle injury, with the 21-year-old managing just five minutes of MLS action since joining from Swedish side AFC Eskilstuna in January.
Fellow defender Bakaye Dibassy has not featured for the hosts since suffering a tendon injury back in August - the 33-year-old has endured an injury-riddled time in MLS since moving from Amiens in 2020.
Houston will be significantly weaker in attack at Allianz Field after both Amine Bassi and Hector Herrera received red cards in the defeat against Seattle - the duo have scored seven of their team's 10 MLS goals so far this season.
The goalscoring burden will consequently fall onto the shoulders of former LAFC man Corey Baird, with the striker looking to net his first strike of the campaign in Wednesday's contest.
Tate Schmitt is likely to miss the rest of the season after suffering an ACL injury in the defeat at San Jose Earthquakes last month, meaning Franco Escobar will be first choice at left-back.
Minnesota United possible starting lineup:
St Clair; Boxall, Kallman, Tapias; Taylor, Dotson, Lod, Arriaga, Lawrence; Hlongwane, Amarilla
Houston Dynamo possible starting lineup:
Clark; Steres, Bartlow, Micael, Escobar; Carrasquilla, Artur, Caicedo; Quinones, Baird, Franco
We say: Minnesota United 0-0 Houston Dynamo
Minnesota have been leaking goals of late but now face a Houston side without their top-two attacking threats in the form of Bassi and Herrera.
The visitors are likely to struggle to create many clear-cut chances at Allianz Field, although we believe they should be good enough for a point.
How to watch
You can watch Minnesota United vs. Houston Dynamo and every MLS match this season live on Apple TV. Click here for more details on how to subscribe.For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
