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MLS Minnesota United FC

Loons Earn Second Shutout of the Week with 1-0 Win over Dallas

May 15, 2021 - Major League Soccer (MLS)
Minnesota United FC News Release


SAINT PAUL, Minn. -- Wednesday night's win over Vancouver may have come as a relief to fans and players alike, but Saturday came quick with another chance to prove the Loons' four-game skid to start the season was not a symptom of an underlying issue, but more a rough start and nothing more. Facing a physically imposing FC Dallas side with its eye set on packing the box with defenders and hitting long passes to two forwards up top, MNUFC had to stay organized and execute their high press with energy. As the clock ticked over into second-half stoppage, the teams remained scoreless but in the game's dying minutes, a heroic goal by Robin Lod off a corner kick gave the home side just enough to eke a 1-0 and sing "Wonderwall" for the second time this week.

From the very start, Minnesota United's gameplay was evident: make FC Dallas uncomfortable. It was an element of the team that Head Coach Adrian Heath brought up earlier in the week during his media availability: Last year, teams didn't like playing against the Loons. They played physical, harassing defense so that every time an opposing player got the ball, they expected to turn around and see a grey jersey in front of them. That had not been the case in the four losses the team opened the season with, but tonight against Dallas, they rarely let the visitors have time on the ball. The counter-press was swift and ruthless.

In just the third minute, Robin Lod - playing as a false 9 once again - applied enough pressure to Dallas goalkeeper Phelipe Megiolaro to force him into a long kick down the right side that sailed out of bounds. Minutes later, midfielder Emanuel Reynoso worked the ball through the midfield and sent it out wide towards Lod. Phelipe had to chase it down outside the box and send it out for a throw-in.

Playing with a three-man backline flanked by wingbacks Ryan Hollingshead and Eddie Munjoma, FC Dallas were well set up to absorb the Loons' offensive energy. They channeled it back the other direction with direct long balls in the hopes of catching the MNUFC defense flatfooted or overcommitted. Their timing was off all evening, though, with the visitors getting called offside 10 times in total.

Through the first half hour, the home side had little trouble finding gaps to exploit to get into that final third, but once there, they were often stymied by the sheer number of Dallas bodies in the box. Several shots were knocked down and crosses from the wings by the fullbacks were rebuffed repeatedly. Reynoso was perpetually in the center of the action and got the game's first decent look in the 31st minute on a shot from the left wing that he curled just out of Phelipe's reach but also just wide of the far post. The teams headed into the tunnel deadlocked and scoreless.

Early in the second half, the Loons escaped by the skin of their teeth as goalkeeper Tyler Miller came out to challenge a long ball and got beaten to it by a Dallas attacker, but his cross over to an onrushing Jader Obrian was just out of the forward's reach. From there, the momentum shifted definitively in Minnesota's direction. Sensing that they perhaps just needed a bit more finishing on the field, Heath went to his bench and brought in Ramon Abila - who scored the game-winning goal against Vancouver earlier in the week - for Ethan Finlay in the 64th minute.

Once Abila was on the field, it was all downhill for Dallas. It felt for all the world like a Minnesota goal was inevitable, but as the minutes ticked away, it became clear that the visitors were more than content to play for the draw and the point on the road, and no doubt Minnesota fans began to wonder if maybe the breakthrough was not going to come.

But then, in stoppage time, the Loons earned a corner kick - their fifth of the game - from the left corner. Reynoso curled it in to the middle of the six-yard box and defender Brent Kallman nodded it on goal, only to be stopped by the defender on the near post. But as the ball bounced free, Lod was there to pounced on it and bury it in the back of the net. With less than a minute left, the Loons were able to whittle away the clock and come out with their second 1-0 victory of the week and all three points. For the time being, Minnesota United have now moved from 13th up to 10th in the Western Conference.

BELL BANK MAN OF THE MATCH: Defender Romain Metanire

GOAL BREAKDOWN

94' | Off the corner kick, Brent Kallman heads the ball into the defender on the post and Lod is there to finish it off. 1-0

LINEUPS:

Minnesota United: GK Tyler Miller; D Chase Gasper, Brent Kallman, Michael Boxall (c), Romain Metanire; M Wil Trapp, Jan Gregus, Emanuel Reynoso, Hassani Dotson, Ethan Finlay; F Robin Lod

FC Dallas: GK Phelipe; D Eddie Munjoma, Jose Martinez, Bressan, Ryan Hollingshead, Matt Hedges (c); M Bryan Acosta, Andres Ricuarte, Tanner Tessmann; F Jader Obrien, Franco Jara

UP NEXT

MINNESOTA UNITED FC @ REAL SALT LAKE

Rio Tinto Stadium | Sandy, Utah

5.29.2021 | MLS Week No. 7 | MLS Game No. 7

8:30 p.m. CT (Bally Sports North, The CW Twin Cities, MNUFC Radio on SKOR North)

MINNESOTA UNITED QUOTE SHEET

MINNESOTA UNITED HEAD COACH ADRIAN HEATH

On if felt like the field was lopsided or tilted with how much time MNUFC spent in the Dallas end tonight ...

"Well, I thought it was a magnificent effort from the players considering we were probably still playing, weren't we? 10 o'clock on Wednesday, nearly? Consider we're playing such a young, athletic team, with energy. For us to impose ourselves on them like we did in the second half, I think somebody just told me 27 shots. So, maybe some shooting practice is needed, because I don't think the keeper has had enough to do with the efforts we've had. I can't praise the players highly enough, because I know there's a lot of tired bodies after the game on Wednesday. For us to put in that type of performance and to be going the way we were from 80 onwards was a testament to the group."

On if the team is attacking the way he wants, why it's been so close but not able to get it over the line ...

"I just think we've had a mixture of final ball not being good enough, or missing chances. I can think of maybe five or six other opportunities that maybe we've had where we should have done better. Had they gone in, we wouldn't be having this same conversation. And, I think, you know... when I look at the last 20 minutes, the endeavor, the determination, the desire to make something happen, especially from our two fullbacks, who, the way we play, they have to put in an incredible amount of energy in. I thought Romain [Metanire] and Chase [Gasper] really gave us something, later on in the game, when, the game got a little bit end to end for my liking. But, we were in the ascendancy for probably most of the second half. But, a team like them, you're always worried that you're going to get done with the old soccer punch on the counter. And, tonight, we didn't."

On the two fullbacks, Romain Metanire specifically, and if this was his best game this season thus far ...

"For sure. Yeah. I thought he was. I thought he was outstanding. And his willingness to keep going. I thought he started to combine really well again. When Robin [Lod] is out here, Robin gives us a lot of calmness on the ball and makes a lot of really good decisions. And then Rey [Emanuel Reynoso] started to come out this side as well. So, it didn't surprise me that we started to get some little nice combination play and get people in the final third. It's alright getting the ball there, but you've gotta get behind that last line, and I thought we did it really well down this righthand side. Especially late on."

On how unfair it would have been to end the game in a draw ...

"It would have been frustrating, but, when you've lost four in a span, I did say to my staff and the technical staff, I'd settled for four points before the week started. So, to come out with six, and then we've got a nice little break now, which, some of the guys needed. Hopefully will give us an opportunity to embed the two new guys in. We're hopeful of getting them in this week. So, to have got the six points, with an opportunity of bringing two more quality players in, I'm quite pleased about that."

On why he chose Brent Kallman over Jukka Raitala in the lineup tonight ...

"Well, Jukka [Raitala] went over his knee, and it was swollen for a couple of days and I knew this was going to be a counterattack game. Obviously, Brent [Kallman] is younger, a little bit more athletic. I thought Brent did very well, actually, tonight. Won his headers. Used the ball well. You know, that was like he was before he got injured last year. So, he can be pleased with his night's work. And, obviously with Ozzie [Alonso], just felt that, you know, his age, etcetera and the amount of work he put in on Wednesday, we just felt we could freshen it up a little bit with a bit more energy in the middle."

On if he got an explanation on the handball call and ruling ...

"Well, I'd like an explanation from somebody. Because, the ball is going in Wanchope's [Ramon Abila] path. And the only reason it doesn't go into his path is because it's been stopped by an arm. So, but, I'm not the only manager who doesn't know what penalties are now or what handball is. So, I'm probably not on my own."

On some shots that being on target and other being off target and what he attributes to that ...

"Maybe a bit of both. But, you know, we've got some unbelievable strikers of the ball and, you know, if you watch this group in shooting practice in training, you know, it's a nightmare for goalkeepers because what they can do with the ball is unbelievable at times. So, I'm a little bit at a loss to understand why we keep missing from, maybe 18, 20 yards out. Maybe we'll practice it more, but, this is not a practice thing. This is a thing of just concentrating and hopefully hitting the target. Especially with the balls we play with now. You just hit the ball, hit through it, and the ball does things for you. But, no. It is slightly disappointing the amount of efforts we're having and we're not making the keeper work hard enough to keep the ball out."

On how much of a spark Ramon Abila has given the squad coming on late in games ...

"He's got a presence, the guy. As I said on Wednesday, he's got 31 goals in 50-odd games for Boca Juniors, so the guy has got a nose for a goal. And, you know, the one thing that we've got now is now we've got a couple more weeks to really get some proper work into him. We're not worried about, is he going to be needed on a Saturday? So, I would think that the next two or three - certainly, the next eight, nine days - the physical work will be mainly centered around him, maybe the new guys, because, the group, the other group, they need a rest for three or four days and then we'll start to build it up again."

On what Robin Lod and Emanuel Reynoso have shown in open play this season and this game ...

"Well, they're quality players. I said this before, I've felt Rey [Emanuel Reynoso] has gotten better each game. But, tonight, he did some exceptional things. But, good players like playing with good players. They're on the same wavelength. I thought some of the little touches from Robin [Lod] down the side were outstanding. Obviously, you see that Rey, now, is starting to gravitate to this side of the field and play with Robin. As I said, good players like playing with good players. Certainly, that is something that we can work on. And, it's not a coincidence that Romain [Metanire] now is starting to work the final third as well, because, you know, the two people he's playing with down that side, have got really, really good quality and people know that."

On one substitute until stoppage time and what he was wanting to see from those players on the field ...

"I did. And, we were in ascendancy. Sometimes you can change it for changing sake. I know you American people have a fascination with substitutes. But, when things are going well I don't think sometimes you should change it and disrupt the rhythm. Sometimes you do it for tactical reasons. Sometimes you do it to change the way the game is going. But, when you're in the ascendancy the way we were, I didn't see the point of making any changes."

On if it feels like the game has slowed down a little bit for Hassani Dotson, who seems to now play with more control and confidence on the field ...

"I think he's been outstanding this season. It doesn't surprise us. I think everybody knows what we think of him. Always quality wherever you put him on the field. I've said it before, he's got an incredible feel for the game no matter where he is on the field. He can dribble. He can shoot. He can tackle. He can run. He can head it. So, no. He's been terrific for us. Doesn't surprise me, because the kid is a really good player."

On Ethan Finlay and his slow start to the season....

"Well the thing is, and I said this to Chase [Gasper] - and I thought Chase was outstanding tonight - for him to come through what he has been through the last few weeks, he's made a few errors and its been costly. But its all about personality and actually fighting through it. As I said to Chase and I've said to Ethan, the only faith I can show them is by picking them in the team. And I know what I'm going to get out of them. I know what its like when you're playing with not a lot of confidence, but sometimes you just have to play through it and keep working and hope it starts to turn for you. I thought we saw a lot of that with Chase tonight and Ethan is fighting his game a wee bit at this moment in time, but he's such a good professional that we all know he will come through the other side and start showing us the quality that he's got and what he has shown in this league over the last ten years."

MINNESOTA UNITED MIDFIELDER WIL TRAPP

On pushing forward to try and break through to score...

"You have to put it into context, right? It's the third game in a week we were on a tough stretch. We win on Wednesday, we feel buoyed by that and then tonight I think we were just relentless in our efforts. We kept going. We kept peppering them with shots, granted we had I think 27 shots - only 7 on goal but the guys just kept going kept going kept going and that's a great spirit for the entire team and you see we all know in MLS those games come back to help you down the line and this was as big one for us."

On how he felt about a four point week versus a six point week ...

"We would've loved nine, right? Because the game in Colorado really felt like it was in our grasp and it was. So after, that I felt it was one game at a time, and we really did a good job of focusing in on Wednesday and then refocusing in on today. I think, once again, you saw the fight, the relentlessness and the effort from all the boys, putting in shift after shift. It's been a long week and a lot of miles on our legs, but I think you see the fitness of the group to come in at the 95th minute of the game and win the game."

On why it was possible to limit Dallas' opportunities tonight ...

"Our pressure was strong in this game. We were organized and to be honest we were winning the ball high up the field. They were a team that likes to, at times overplay. I mean when they

did break it, it was a bit dangerous, but we did a very good job at closing space, and honestly playing in between players to where you can press but you can also recover to a different spot. I think that helped us a lot in terms of winning balls high up the field and quelling any pressure that they completely create going forward."

On the amount of time spent at the opponent's side of the field ...

"We were just happy to win, Jerry [Zgoda]. I mean at the end of the day it was just something that these fans needed, especially going into a week where we won't have a game. To leave it with two wins in a row at home in front of our fans was very important for us. This group stepping into the next game against an opponent we've already played against, Salt Lake, so we felt good about the performance but there's always things you can improve."

On his perspective of the goal ...

"Yeah I had a good view of [Brent Kallman] on the header. I actually couldn't see who was right there for the tap in but that's what we work on. I mean to be honest that's [Robin Lod's] run and creating that little bit of doubt in their zone, or at least the one zonal player there, and ultimately when you take chances you put the ball in the right areas you can score goals."

On reasons behind why the team can't finish the chances they get on the field ...

"Yeah, I think it's a little bit of more patience, a little bit more quality at times. Sometimes when you get in the final third and it's been a back and forth kind of transition game, you tend to rush things at times. I think at the end of the game we were just relentless in terms of being there, but earlier in the game it was a little bit more sporadic, so you rush through your progressions and you start to do things more erratically then we should've. I think for us as a group it's continuing to be patient. It's continuing to find the right opportunities to get behind them and to create crossing opportunities which can be dangerous, and we do that, it really does put the defense under a lot of pressure."

On the hand ball and an explanation of the no call...

"I had a perfect view because I was the one who passed the ball. So, it seemed to me that maybe it was a little close proximity, he couldn't get his hand out of the way, but that's at least what [Ted Unkel], the referee, was saying after he looked at it. But in live time it seemed like a penalty to me, but those things are tough. I mean with the handball rule you saw today in the FA cup finals. It's the same thing. It's definitely a law that can be difficult to interpret at times."

On playing alongside Osvaldo Alonso and with two sixes ...

"I mean once again I can't say enough his calm, his leadership. Just by example he helps the team so much in the little things, and I think obviously a little bit older in terms of where he's at in his career but I'm sure he could've played 90 minutes again tonight and been great. But he's someone that, once again, he's such a rock for the team and it's great to play alongside him."

MINNESOTA UNITED DEFENDER MICHAEL BOXALL

On the possibility of getting six points this week...

"Knowing how we were going to react after those first four performances and where we put ourselves, and having two games at home, I think six was kind of where we set our goal. I don't think we would've been happy with four. Obviously, happy with where we're at, kind of expected us to get the six, even though it did come a little late tonight."

On being satisfied with a draw after all the chances on goal...

"In the final third, we still got a little bit of work we need to touch up on. I think just because you got those shots, I think a large amount of those shots coming from out of the box, I think we need to create a few more, just to be a bit more decisive and clear-cut in the final third, give our front men chances within the box. Even if we hadn't scored tonight, whether we had 30 shots, 50 shots, 10 shots, I would've been disappointed if we hadn't managed to put one away."

On their perseverance to win in the 94th minute...

"For us, especially when we're at home, when that crowd pushes us on, I think, like you don't get tired. You just need to keep going and going, and we definitely feed off the crowd. I mean, it didn't feel like there were - what was it like 5,000 people tonight? It didn't sound like that. Or less, 4,000 people. I'm like, a little excited and concerned for the eardrums when it's going to be, have, a bit more than 4,000 the next time we play here. So yeah, I can't wait for that."

On Brent Kallman starting alongside him tonight...

"He was solid, as I expected him to be. I think to bounce that - I think he was probably hurting a little bit from the Seattle game, and he dropped there, but I think I've said this every time I usually know what exactly I'm getting out of Brent [Kallman]. Full of heart, great defender, can handle anyone in this league. As long as we all stay switched on as a unit, then we can get the job done. I'm pretty sure, it was his header on the final goal. He pops up in big moments for us at times, and I think in the Seattle game, [his header] just got cleared off the line. The same thing happened again tonight, but at least someone was on hand for the rebound. He was solid as can be tonight and made my job a little bit easier as well.

On being honored on Wednesday with the jersey from teammates...

"Honestly, it's doesn't mean a whole lot for me. I think you can't kind of get caught up in trying to chase x-amount of games. Like for me, I'm just trying to focus on the next one. So, obviously game number 100 didn't go too well in Colorado, so you just want to move on to the next one. And then, when I went home and looked at the shirt and some of the words that some of the boys had written, that's going to be a cool thing to look back on when it's all said and done, but I'm just focused on the next one. Just trying to push this team up the ladder and make sure we are playing some important games come October and November."

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