Since Minnesota United started losing players at the beginning of June, to international teams and to injuries, the Loons have simply been trying to hold on until they had their team back together – and hold on to points, late in games.

They couldn’t do it in Portland, they couldn’t do it in Los Angeles, but Saturday in Houston, Minnesota finally managed it, drawing 1-1 with the Houston Dynamo. It ended Minnesota’s six-game losing streak and gave the Loons a precious point in the standings for the first time since June 8.

Of course, it also extended the Loons’ winless streak to eight games, but after six consecutive games with zero points, even earning one must have felt like a weight coming off Minnesota’s shoulders.

Minnesota broke the deadlock in the 70th minute – and they did it, as they so often have this season, from a set piece.

Joseph Rosales took a corner kick from the left, and while his initial ball into the penalty area was cleared, Franco Fragapane picked up the clearance. Fragapane played an outstanding pass back to Rosales, curving it with the outside of his right boot and leaving Rosales wide open to play in another cross. This time, Robin Lod was making a run at the near post, and he flicked the pass inside the post to give Minnesota the lead.

Twelve minutes later, though, Houston was back level, from a corner kick of its own. Minnesota’s defense failed to get a head on the corner, which bounced to Sebastian Ferreira, who had time to steady himself and blast a shot from five yards away that was moving too fast for any Minnesota player to affect it.

MNUFC’s best chances of the first half came barely 200 seconds in, as a pass from Lod found Joseph Rosales open on the left side of the penalty area. The Honduran’s shot was straight at goalkeeper Steve Clark, however.

Moments later, a cross found Bongokuhle Hlongwane making a run at the near post, but his flick cannoned off the outside of the post and away.

According to the league’s website, Minnesota had just 19.8% of the possession in the first half.

Loons manager Eric Ramsay was at pains, the day before the game, to insist that Minnesota’s system isn’t just a simple 5-2-3 formation every week. In this one, the manager introduced a few wrinkles, having his team defend with a 5-3-2 formation and then flip to a 3-4-3 look when in possession.

The match also marked Carlos Harvey’s first start for Minnesota at center back, playing on the right side, in the spot that had often been occupied by Kervin Arriaga before Arriaga’s sale to FK Partizan.

Kickoff of the game was delayed for almost an hour, due to lightning in the area. Houston’s game last Sunday was postponed after Hurricane Beryl arrived a bit earlier than planned, and the Dynamo had to wait a bit longer to return to the field.

On the subject of returns, Minnesota will finally welcome Tani Oluwaseyi and Dayne St. Clair back this week from Copa América. Both of the Canadian Loons started the third-place playoff against Uruguay, marking Oluwaseyi’s first start ever for Canada. The striker played 66 minutes and the teams tied 2-2 after regulation, but Canada lost the penalty shootout 4-3.

Related Articles

Loons leader Khaled El-Ahmad’s aim this summer: ‘Strengthen team’

Teemu Pukki’s goal not enough as Loons’ skid reaches six losses with 2-1 defeat at L.A. Galaxy

Minnesota United at L.A. Galaxy: Keys to the match, projected starting XI and a prediction

Minnesota United vs. Vancouver Whitecaps: Keys to the match, projected starting XI and a prediction

Already shorthanded, Minnesota United lose Hassani Dotson to yellow cards and fall 1-0 to Austin FC