Lyle Foster has his eyes on silverware with the Houston Dynamo, who continue their push for a top-four spot in the Western Conference against Minnesota United.
Houston's form has slipped in recent weeks, and they currently sit fifth in the West, though they are only six points behind the leaders, the Vancouver Whitecaps, and one off the fourth-place San Jose Earthquakes.
The Dynamo have won just one of their last seven games (D3 L3), and are winless in their last three, including a 2-0 loss to Sporting Kansas City.
However, Foster, who joined in the recent transfer window, believes Houston have the quality to be challenging for the MLS Cup and is determined to do his part to help them.
"I saw where they were in the table. Immediately you think the guys are doing this; why is there no reason that we can go all the way?" Foster said in an interview with Houston's media team.
"But obviously, we take it a training session at a time, with the way that we've been playing.
"The qualities I believe I have, I believe that I can just be a piece of a puzzle that fits into the team and hopefully try our best to bring [a title] to the H."
Minnesota, meanwhile, are 14th in the West with 29 points, seven points behind the LA Galaxy in the final wildcard spot.
They are currently winless in their last six games – losing each of the last five – and conceding 20 goals during those six outings.
Head coach Cameron Knowles acknowledged their defensive record as the major worry and noted it is something they have worked on during the international break.
"We've conceded too many goals in recent games," Knowles said. "The guys have put in a really good shift over last week and into this week."
Eyes on Saturday https://t.co/b2o1jJ02gd
— Houston Dynamo FC (@HoustonDynamo) October 9, 2026
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Minnesota United – Kelvin Yeboah
Yeboah has scored in three straight regular-season home matches.
Only three Loons players have scored in more consecutive home league matches: Darwin Quintero (five – 2018), Christian Ramirez (four – 2017) and Robin Lod (four – 2021).
Houston Dynamo – Jonathan Bond
Bond has kept 10 clean sheets so far this season.
He is the fourth goalkeeper in Dynamo history to record double-digit clean sheets in a single campaign and the first since Steve Clark in 2023, when he matched Tally Hall's club record with 12.
MATCH PREDICTION: MINNESOTA UNITED WIN
Minnesota and Houston split the series in 2025, with each team posting a victory by two goals. There have never been three straight matches decided by multiple goals in the fixture's history across all competitions.
Minnesota have scored in each of their last 10 regular-season matches, their longest streak of games with a goal since a 12-game stretch from June to September in 2024. The Loons are one of five MLS teams currently on a streak of double-digit regular-season matches with a goal.
As for the Dynamo, since the end of the World Cup break, they have conceded the fewest league goals (nine) of any MLS team while being tied for the most shutouts (seven, with Nashville SC). For comparison, Minnesota have allowed 27 goals and kept one clean sheet in that time.
OPTA WIN PROBABILITY
Minnesota United – 44.3%
Draw – 26.8%
Houston Dynamo – 28.9%
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