Houston goalkeeper Jonathan Bond made five saves and the host Dynamo salvaged a 0-0 tie with visiting Minnesota United on Saturday night.
Although Houston (13-9-9, 48 points) has already qualified for the playoffs, its winless streak was extended to seven matches (0-2-5).
Drake Callender made one save for Minnesota (8-12-11, 35 points), but it might have been a costly result for the Loons. They entered the weekend likely needing to win all their remaining games to climb into postseason position.
Minnesota, which is undefeated in four matches (1-0-3) this month, held a 7-4 edge in corner kicks and managed 17 shots to Houston’s 11.
The Loons saw five different players each contribute one shot on target, including leading scorers Kelvin Yeboah (17 goals) and Anthony Markanich (eight goals).
Markanich’s headed shot on goal in the second minute of first-half stoppage time was the best scoring chance of the match at 29% xG but it was kept out of the net by Bond.
Guilherme, Houston’s leader this season in goals (16) and goal contributions (26), had the Dynamo’s lone shot on goal in the 54th minute. His left-footed shot was turned aside by Callender.
It was the second tie between the teams this month after a 2-2 draw Oct. 10 in St. Paul, Minn.
Houston picked up three yellow cards in the first 35 minutes of the match, which wound up being the only three bookings.
–Field Level Media
