Minnesota United FC’s undefeated start to the season skidded to an end on Saturday night with a 2-1 loss to the Seattle Sounders. Both teams sounded their depths, so to speak, but the Loons were once again outclassed by this Western Conference foe, falling to 1-1-9 all time in MLS meetings, and marking their first loss of the season.
Consistency has long been a problem for MNUFC and Saturday night was no different. With young striker Abu Danladi getting his first start of the season (on the left wing) and immediately finding some chemistry with back-up left back Bakaye Dibassy, there was a brief sense that this meeting could be different. The opening 15 minutes were fluid and exciting. Defensive mid and captain Wil Trapp explained, “Abu [Danladi] had a huge chance. Robin [Lod] had a chance and it felt like, if we just convert one of these, it’s going to be a good night for us.”
They did not convert and it was not a good night.
“You saw the impatience come through. We were generating chances. We were coming on a break and then we’re trying to do it every time,” Trapp said. “When that game becomes almost like a Final Four basketball game, you get tired and the spaces get bigger, and then you’re running a little bit more. They have good players that get around the ball and their understanding of space is impressive.”
Midfield passing has been the Loons’ Achilles heel since the club’s promotion to MLS. Stats rarely tell the full story of a match. But if you were to look at just one piece of data to summarize this match, the passing maps speak volumes. Seattle (shown in green) clearly dominated the central third and frustrated Minnesota’s entire network.
If a midfield manned by Albert Rusnák, João Paulo, Jordan Morris, Nicolás Lodeiro, and Cristian Roldán, is a reflection of a tired Concacaf Champions League squad, one can only imagine the damage a fully rested and healthy Sounders squad could do to this Loons roster. In the 38th minute, Paulo notched the first goal of the night, thus ending MNUFC’s 300 minute shutout streak. His one-touch strike was Paulo’s third goal in four appearances against the Loons.
Down 1-0 at the half, Adrian Heath made his first sub as the match restarted. Danladi made way for Joseph Rosales who brought a bit more power to the midfield, but any momentum was sucked away when a shot by Jordan Morris was deflected into the net by centerback Brent Kallman in the 49′. The own goal sucked the life out of Allianz Field and fans were quiet until the 63′ when Bongi Hlongwane and Kemar Lawrence replaced DJ Taylor and Kallman respectively.
Lawrence brought new energy to the backline, helping to redirect traffic down the pitch. Bongi’s speed, coupled with Rosales’ fearlessness, sparked a comeback in the final 15 minutes of regular time. Rosales drew a penalty in the 83′, which Emanuel Reynoso converted cleanly (his first goal in 2022) to halve Seattle’s lead to 2-1. While the Loons’ energy was also converted, the spark proved to be too little too late.
It was an ugly way to end an undefeated run, but considering the fact that Seattle had the luxury of bringing Raúl Ruidíaz in off the bench to supplement the power of Paulo and Albert Rusnák – the embodiment of chaos itself – Minnesota was lucky to get away with conceding only two goals.
Three Takeaways
- MNUFC needs to be careful not to make gutting out low-scoring matches their identity in 2022. The Loons have yet to score multiple goals in one game. There’s nothing wrong with this when you’re in the position to maintain a result, but Seattle is just one of many teams that could easily exploit this and make it necessary to score at least two to take a point. Luis Amarilla promised 25 goals in 2020 before the world shut down — The Loons are on track to score that many collectively in 2022.
- The addition of Albert Rusnák to the Seattle Sounders’ midfield made a staunch midfield even more fearsome. The man is the embodiment of chaos itself and was key to Real Salt Lake’s late resurgence in 2021. His style makes him one to watch no matter the opponent.
- Adrien Hunou might make a better utility player than Abu Danladi. The DP featured on the left wing a couple times in 2021 before being banished to the bench, presumably for lack of productivity. Danladi’s first start looked just as nervy as his previous substitute appearances. No doubt Danladi earned a nod, but surely Hunou has earned more than six minutes himself? Man management will definitely be in focus for fans in the coming weeks.
Box Score
MLS Regular Season – Game 5
MN United FC: 1 – Brent Kallman 49′ (OG), Emanuel Reynoso 82′ (PK)
Seattle Sounders: 2 – João Paulo 38′
Lineups
MN United FC (4231): Dayne St. Clair; Bakaye Dibassy, Brent Kallman (Kemar Lawrence 63′), Michael Boxall, D.J. Taylor (Bongokuhle Hlongwane 63′); Hassani Dotson, Wil Trapp; Abu Danladi (Joseph Rosales 46′), Emanuel Reynoso, Robin Lod; Luis Amarilla
Seattle Sounders (4231): Stefan Frei; Kelyn Rowe, Xavier Arreaga (Nouhou Tolo 76′), Jackson Ragen, Alex Roldan; Albert Rusnák (Abdoulaye Cissoko 86′), João Paulo; Jordan Morris (Léo Chú 76′), Nicolás Lodeiro (Obed Vargas 46′), Cristian Roldán; Will Bruin (Raúl Ruidíaz 46′)
Misconduct Summary
MN United FC: W. Trapp 10′, R. Lod 56′, M. Boxall 62′, J. Rosales 74′, E. Reynoso 90’+4′
Seattle Sounders: J. Ragen 71′, K. Rowe 90’+4′
Featured Image: Daniel Mick // @DanielMickPhoto
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