Houston Dynamo FC and Minnesota United draw as Jonathan Bond makes five saves

González misses early opening

Houston controlled possession early, but Minnesota’s Mauricio González broke forward in the fifth minute and sent his shot wide. Jonathan Bond then charged out in the 13th minute to contain danger after Nectarios Triantis received a ball inside the box.

Minnesota also fashioned a chance from an AZ Jackson corner: Kelvin Yeboah’s header rebounded in the box, where Cherrion Valerius attempted a bicycle kick. Three Houston players received first-half yellow cards, while coach Ben Olsen was dismissed after two yellows.

Bond and Foster intervene before halftime

Bond dived low to his left in the 40th minute and caught Yeboah’s shot with both hands. In first-half stoppage time, he stopped Anthony Markanich’s downward header, with Houston forward Lyle Foster immediately adding another block before the interval.

Jackson denied, McGuire heads wide

Early in the second half, Bond claimed Yeboah’s attempt after a Minnesota counterattack down the right and a centering pass. Jackson then forced the Houston goalkeeper into a leaping deflection in the 54th minute.

Houston’s ensuing counter ended with Guilherme shooting tamely at Drake Callender after pressure from Gene and Bongi. In the 65th minute, Lawrence Ennali crossed toward the back post, but substitute Duncan McGuire headed just wide.

Pereyra’s late chance ends in another save

Minnesota introduced Joaquín Pereyra and Michael Boxall for Jackson and the injured Diaz in the 73rd minute. Bond denied Pereyra from close range in the 84th, before Houston’s Bogusz shot wide in the 86th.

Bond finished with five saves, and Houston’s clean sheet was its 12th as a team during the regular season.

The match finished scoreless, with Minnesota totaling 17 shots to Houston’s 11.