Minnesota United FC 1, Houston Dynamo 0 | 2019 MLS Match Recap

Minnesota defender and Malagasy international Romain Metanire scored a highlight-worthy first career MLS goal to lead Minnesota United FC to a 1-0 home win over the Houston Dynamo in Week 13 at Allianz Field.

Though the first half saw Darwin Quintero and Romell Quioto leading the offensive charge for their respective teams, the lone goal of the first half came from Metanire, who fired a long-range ball toward goal that bounced off Dynamo midfielder Boniek Garcia and took a wild looping arc, slipping past outstretched goalkeeper Joe Willis on the far post for the score.

The early part of the second half saw more attempts from MNUFC to add to their lead, including two back-to-back near misses from last week's hero Ethan Finlay, and Quintero continued to look dangerous until being subbed off in the 78th minute.

Though the Dynamo did try to get on the board throughout, Minnesota had the luxury of putting on Ike Opara as a late sub to help close the clean sheet out.

Goals

• 20' – MIN – Romain Metanire | WATCH

Three Things

THE BIG PICTURE: For Minnesota, this is the sixth straight home result (dating back to the wild April 13 Allianz Field opening against NYCFC), and the third win in that string, meaning MNUFC sit 5th in the West and would play the Dynamo if the Audi 2019 MLS Cup Playoffs started today. For Houston, if this is a preview of life without Alberth Elis (out with a concussion, and rumored to be drawing interest from clubs abroad), they won't like it. They're still in solid playoff position, but only three of their 15 shots were on target, and they collectively looked less sharp without their Panther on the prowl.

MOMENT OF THE MATCH:
 Metanire's goal — was it really a shot? a cross gone awry in the best way possible? — is the clear contender if considering just in-game action. But also: Wonderwall.

MAN OF THE MATCH: Though Quintero couldn't quite get the final ball he was looking for — starting with a 6th-minute post-rattler that would have been a Goal of the Week contender if just a little more on frame — he stretched the Dynamo defense and looked by far to be the most potent goal-scoring threat on either side.

Next Up

• MIN: Wednesday, May 29 at Atlanta United (7 pm ET | MLS LIVE on ESPN+, DAZN in Canada)
• HOU: Saturday, June 1 vs. Sporting Kansas City (7:30 pm ET | MLS LIVE on ESPN+, DAZN in Canada)