Fox Man's Grade Book: Dylan Wolpers Derby and South Texas Derby Super Weekend

The odd derby between Houston Dynamo and Minnesota United FC lived up to its name in Saint Paul, Minnesota while Michael Salazar Jr. powered Rio Grande Valley FC Toros past rivals San Antonio FC for a much-needed win at H-E-B Park.

Key Points:

• The Dynamo suffered their second-ever loss against The Loons, both losses being in Minnesota since joining the league in 2017.

• The Toros defeated San Antonio FC at H-E-B Park for the first time since 2017.

• With 7 goals scored this season so far, Michael Salazar has tied RGVFC's single-season scoring record with Ruben Luna (2016) and Kyle Murphy (2017).

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Houston Dynamo made their first-ever visit to Minnesota United's new home at Allianz Field. Without Alberth Elis due to a concussion and Maynor Figueroa given time off to mourn the passing of his father, the Dynamo would have the tall task of earning a positive result in Saint Paul, where Minnesota United have yet to lose a match in 2019.

At the start of the match until the very end, The Loons knew how to maintain Houston scoreless without a couple of their best players around. Minnesota did a great job with their defensive markings and preventing Houston from getting scoring opportunities in many occasions.

This one could have definitely ended in a scoreless draw, with the difference being a goal by Minnesota's Romain Metanire as his attempted cross off the flank is deflected by Boniek Garcia's coverage into an unexpected angle in the frame for Joe Willis to stop.

Minnesota would get the job done after two halves of excellent defensive work while taking advantage of some of Houston's weaknesses like the lack of a clinical finisher that gets actual shots on goal while Manotas, Quioto, Elis and Memo are neutralized and consistency in the final third.

Despite the loss, Houston still hold matches in hand over several teams in the Western Conference along with a favorable position in the standings. But it is up to them to rebound this week at home prior to the upcoming string of road matches.

Dynamo Grade for the Week: D

• Although they help up decently after conceding a pretty unlucky goal, that felt like there was not enough urgency in the second half to get the equalizing goal.

Fox MVP of the Week: El Batallon

• More than 80 fans traveled more than a thousand miles to watch this one. I salute you.

Honorable mention: Dylan Wolpers

• Happy Birthday Dylan Wolpers.™

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RGVFC headed back to H-E-B Park last Saturday without a single win in the month of May, just after not losing a single match back in April, with the hopes of earning a win there against dear rivals San Antonio FC for the first time in two years.

Despite getting dominated in possession for the entirety of the match, the Toros held an impressive offensive performance led by Michael Salazar who would score two goals and be closer to holding the club's single-season scoring record. They would also set themselves up with a pretty convincing defensive performance considering that the visitors are not as good as they used to be in previous years but can still score some quality goals if they felt like it.

The Toros now look gain a string of strong performances from here as they hope to stay inside the Top 10 of the Western Conference.

Toros Grade for the Week: A

• Much needed win for RGV at the right time. I like goals!

Fox MVP of the Week: Michael Salazar

• Seven goals in ten matches and near a record. This guy is coming to Houston eventually.

Honorable mention: Andrew Samuels

• That dude can ball in the final third and I love him.

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