In his first game against Minnesota United since being traded last November, Darwin Quintero scored what proved to be the game-winner and Ariel Lassiter added a second half brace to lead the Houston Dynamo to a 3-0 victory Wednesday night at BBVA Stadium.
It was the second consecutive win for the Dynamo, who scored five in a road victory against Sporting KC last week. Minnesota United, meanwhile, suffered a third consecutive defeat.
Quintero needed just 28 minutes to sting his former club. After Memo Rodriguez made a diagonal run into the box, he slid a pass to Quintero, who blasted a first-time effort inside the near post before celebrating at the corner flag.
The goal came two minutes after another former Loon, Christian Ramirez, had his point-blank attempt parried away by Minnesota United goalkeeper Greg Ranjitsingh for a corner kick.
Lassiter came on for Ramirez in the 55th minute and scored on his La Naranja debut 10 minutes later. Fellow substitute Alberth Elis did the heavy lifting down the right flank, serving the ball to the edge of the six-yard box where Lassiter tapped in.
Lassiter added his second five minutes later, scoring from the edge of the 18-yard box after another combination with Elis to cap a comprehensive victory.
Goals
- 28’ — HOU — Darwin Quintero | WATCH
- 65’ — HOU — Ariel Lassiter | WATCH
- 70’ — HOU — Ariel Lassiter | WATCH
Three Things
- THE BIG PICTURE: Tab Ramos said it was important to follow up a first win of 2020 with another and the Dynamo responded in a big way. Quintero punished his former squad and Lassiter was stuntin like his daddy Roy, one of the best forwards ever in the league, with his first MLS brace. Is it time to hit the panic button yet for the Loons? It’s now three straight defeats, though a ray of light emerged with the debut of Bebelo Reynoso in the second half.
- MOMENT OF THE MATCH: The Goal Scientist delivers against his former club.
- MAN OF THE MATCH: What a shift for Quintero, who surely was extra motivated after Minnesota United traded him away after last season. The Loons' first-ever DP showed his former team why they signed him in the first place, both with his ability to score big goals, but also to set up teammates. If not for a few terrific saves by Ranjitsingh, Quintero would have had a few assists for Ramirez, another former Loon.
Next Up
- HOU: Saturday, September 5 vs. Sporting Kansas City (8 pm ET | MLS LIVE on ESPN+ in US, on DAZN in Canada)
- MIN: Sunday, September 6 vs. Real Salt Lake (8 pm ET | MLS LIVE on ESPN+ in US, on DAZN in Canada)
