Hlongwane, St. Clair lead Minnesota United past Dynamo 1-0
Houston Dynamo goalkeeper Steve Clark (12) dives for a loose ball next to Houston Dynamo defender Franco Escobar (2) during the first half of an MLS soccer game, Wednesday, May 17, 2023 in St. Paul, Minn. (Jeff Wheeler/Star Tribune via AP)[ASSOCIATED PRESS/Jeff Wheeler]
SAINT PAUL, Minn. (AP) — Bongokuhle Hlongwane scored 14 minutes into the match and Dayne St. Clair made it stand up to lead Minnesota United to a 1-0 victory over the Houston Dynamo on Wednesday night.
Hlongwane’s third goal of the season was unassisted.
St. Clair saved four shots to earn the clean sheet for Minnesota United (4-5-3), which ended a six-match winless streak by beating the Dynamo (4-5-2) for a sixth straight time — the club’s longest such streak against any opponent.
Houston’s loss equals its longest losing streak against a single opponent — a six-match skid at the hands of the Seattle Sounders from 2017-21.
Minnesota United was 0-5-1 in its previous six matches. The one point earned equals a club low for a six-match span.
Minnesota United forward Bongokuhle Hlongwane (21) and Houston Dynamo defender Ethan Bartlow (4) make contact while redirecting a ball during the first half of an MLS soccer game, Wednesday, May 17, 2023 in St. Paul, Minn. (Jeff Wheeler/Star Tribune via AP)
Photo: ASSOCIATED PRESS/Jeff Wheeler
Minnesota United forward Luis Amarilla (9) heads a shot on Houston Dynamo goalkeeper Steve Clark (12) during the first half of an MLS soccer game, Wednesday, May 17, 2023 in St. Paul, Minn. (Jeff Wheeler/Star Tribune via AP)
Photo: ASSOCIATED PRESS/Jeff Wheeler
The Dynamo played without midfielder Héctor Herrera and Amine Bassi, who both received red cards in a 1-0 home loss to the Seattle Sounders last week. Houston is tied with Sporting Kansas City with a league-high nine red cards since the start of last season.
Steve Clark had four saves for Houston.
The Dynamo fall to 9-60-26 in their last 95 road matches against fellow Western Conference opponents.
Houston travels to play FC Dallas on Saturday. Minnesota United travels to play the Portland Timbers on Saturday.
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