Hell is hot, but Shell Energy Stadium was hotter on Wednesday night — that goes for the temps and the Loons, as they wasted no time giving fans a peek at what can be when Teemu Pukki is in the starting XI, and…(cue your inner-Larry David)...it was preeetty, preetty, pretty good. The Loons showed up and showed out to give the league a glimpse of the potential that could be realized in the back stretch of the 2023 MLS regular season with an emphatic 3-0 win over Houston Dynamo.
A slow first few minutes of play gave way to the Loons going on the offensive assault that would be their first half. Bongi would throw the pre-party in the 15th minute by showing his patience in the moment to fake twice before lofting a beauty up past the reach of the keeper and into the net. 1-0, lake birds.
The Bongi pre-party would turn into a full out Pukki Party in the 20th minute of the first half when it would be a long dart downfield from Reynoso to find a streaking Teemu Pukki. Then, Loons fans got to see Pukki do Pukki things in real time, when he sized up a perfectly placed shot to the low right corner of the goal. 2-0, Pukki Party.
Stifling heat gave way to stifling defense, as the Loons would throw up the walls and put in a solid effort from the entire unit of Boxall, Tapias, Valentin and Taylor. All held up in the face of Houston’s aggressive attacking in the second half as La Naranja pushed and peppered Dayne St. Clair the majority of the second half. St Clair was phenomenal in his return to the Loons starting lineup, making numerous acrobatic saves against the Houston attack.
Then, in the 87th minute, the Loons’ other big acquisition of the current transfer window, Ismael Tajouri-Shradi would turn the lights out on the party when a Loons fast break would find its way to the new forward at the top of the box and in the net to seal the deal down in Houston.
After that kind of performance from both ends of the lineup, Loons fans have to feel good about what they saw from the boys tonight. And, seeing both of the team’s recent acquisitions making big plays in the start to their Loons careers isn’t a bad look either. Hopefully, this is what we’ll see from the Black and Blue when they head home for a test incoming from the west, LAFC at 7:30 CT on Saturday night.
UP NEXT
Minnesota United FC vs. LAFC
Allianz Field | St Paul, Minnesota
07.15.23 | MLS Game 22
7:30 pm CT (Watch on AppleTV’s MLS Season Pass)
