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MLS Minnesota United FC

Minnesota United Shuts out San Jose with 3-0 Win

March 10, 2019 - Major League Soccer (MLS)
Minnesota United FC News Release


SAN JOSE, Calif. - Tallying its 100th MLS goal then adding two more, Minnesota United has now taken three points in two consecutive weeks, this time shutting out San Jose on the road 3-0. Leading the way for the Loons was Darwin Quintero, who converted from the penalty spot and delivered an assist to Miguel Ibarra before MNUFC sealed the win with a Jan Gregus-delivered free kick that was finished into the net off the head of San Jose defender Harold Cummings for an own goal.

"Obviously winning always breeds confidence, but I'm more concerned about the performance, the level of performance expected and if we play like that, it's normally enough to win games," said Minnesota United Head Coach Adrian Heath. "We've had two road games, six goals and tonight we conceivably left a few out there because we probably should have been two or three up at half time. So it's been a really good performance and I'm pleased with the group, pleased with the fact that it's a clean sheet, and it's a good start."

San Jose began the game full of energy and a positive mentality moving forward, with Chris Wondolowski looking for goal number 145 and a share of the Major League Soccer scoring record alongside U.S. soccer legend Landon Donovan, but it was Minnesota United that had the first scoring opportunity 10 minutes into the game as a perfectly placed Romain Metanire bending ball found Romario Ibarra behind the San Jose defensive line. Romario Ibarra turned his hips and struck the ball with his left foot toward the San Jose net, unable to find a way around Earthquakes goalkeeper Daniel Vega.

"Romario [Ibarra]'s pace, he's always going to get that opportunity like he did in the first half where he goes in one-on-one, you know, he's very explosive, really quick and if we get the ball to [Darwin Quintero] in those holes and those pockets he makes things happen," said Heath. "I thought some of his stuff was outstanding tonight, and I thought he was arguably one of the best players on the field, so it's another big performance from him and a good start for us."

With both teams placing shots on frame, but unable to connect through the first 20 minutes of play, things began to slow down - both clubs struggling to find space in the final third. It was a turnover forced by Metanire that nearly saw the away side take the lead in the 27th minute, with Romario Ibarra once again getting in behind the Earthquakes' center backs, but unable to find the right shot to beat Vega. Forward Darwin Quintero followed up Romario Ibarra's shot with a well-placed crack into the near bar that Vega palmed away over the endline to keep things level at zero.

Vega was called upon again and again in the opening 45 minutes of play, as the Loons managed eight shots with four on target. San Jose nearly stole one late off the boot of Wondolowski inside the six-yard-box from a ball played in by Cristian Espinoza, whipping through the area, tipping off Wondolowski's foot and off the woodwork.

"I thought that the back four defended the goal really well when they put balls in the box because we know when they've got balls in the box they've got probably one of the best forwards for his movement in the league in Wondolowski," said Heath. "I think they had one cross in the first half and he got on the end of it when it hit the post. Overall, I thought we were well worthy winners, we were the better team from probably minute one to 90."

"We didn't make too many adjustments we worked all week on their shape because they do play different than every team in the league," said Heath. "They play virtually man-for-man and let your two centerbacks have it. The trick for us and the issue for us was can we make the right decision when we get halfway in their half and I think we did it on the whole. It's not an easy system to play against, but I thought all of the stuff we worked on during the week pretty much came through."

Less than a minute into the second half Minnesota United was awarded a penalty as Marcos Lopez settled the ball with his bicep after Miguel Ibarra dinked it over his head. Quintero stepped up to the spot and delivered the ball into the side netting, sending Vega the wrong direction and tallying the 100th MLS goal for Minnesota United and the first goal of the night.

Just three minutes later, Minnesota United collected the ball from a San Jose corner kick and broke quickly to the other end to score its second. Quintero flanked on either side by Jan Gregus and Miguel Ibarra dribbled into the Earthquakes' half with numbers. Closing in toward the penalty area, Quintero laid the ball off to Miguel Ibarra, who faked a shot, turning his defender around, then burying the ball into the back of the net.

San Jose then moved into a tactical press, forcing quick passes out of the MNUFC defenders and opening gaps on both sides of the field. Minnesota United Head Coach Adrian Heath attempted to close those open spaces and maintain control, sending Angelo Rodriguez into the game to replace Romario Ibarra. Rodriguez drew the foul in the 74th minute that lead to the Loon's third goal, helped into the net by San Jose Earthquakes defender Harold Cummings from a Jan Gregus free kick.

Wondolowski would get one final chance as the game moved into the death, once again latching onto the end of a strong Espinoza cross. He attempted to settle it down, and did well in a tight space near the net to get a shot off, but pulled it wide of the frame in what was the final effort from either team for the night.

It was a composed 90 minutes for Minnesota United, creating multiple chances and remaining organized in the back to shut out its opponent for the first time this season. Improvements in the offseason are paying dividends just two weeks into the year as the Loons have already doubled their road win total from the 2018 season. As Gregus and Osvaldo Alonso continue to bond and keep control of the midfield, Minnesota United will continue to improve and be more difficult to break down as a whole. MNUFC will work to remain on top of the table with three more away matches remaining on this trip before returning to Minnesota for the opening of Allianz Field.

"I'm glad they've had a couple of good games together because I wouldn't change them two for anybody in the league. Ozzie's been the best number six in this league for ten years, and as I said, we've brought in a Slovakian international to play alongside him," said Heath. "I don't think it's a coincidence that we've dominated both games' possession because we've got two really good continuity players in there. We've got people who know where to go, to stand and get the ball, we've got people who know when to pick the pace of the game up, when to slow the game down and that's only going to get better, that partnership."

Minnesota United's next match is Saturday, March 16 in Los Angeles as the Loons continue their trip west against the Galaxy. That game kicks off at 9:30 p.m. CT with pregame coverage beginning at 9:00 p.m. on FOX Sports North Plus, streaming on FOX Sports Go and on MNUFC Radio on SKOR North. Fans can come down to Park Tavern in Saint Louis Park for the Official Watch Party presented by Summit.

Lineups

Minnesota United FC Starting XI: GK Vito Mannone; D Romain Metanire, Michael Boxall, Ike Opara, Francisco Calvo; M Osvaldo Alonso, Jan Gregus, Miguel Ibarra, Rasmus Schuller (Ethan Finlay 78'), Darwin Quintero (Hassani Dotson 90+1'); F Romario Ibarra (Angelo Rodriguez 62')

MIN Unused Subs: GK Bobby Shuttleworth; D Brent Kallman, Chase Gasper; M Ethan Finlay; F Mason Toye,

San Jose Earthquakes Starting XI: GK Daniel Vega; D Nick Lima (Tommy Thompson 56'), Guram Kashia, Harold Cummings, Marcos Lopez (Danny Hoesen 64'); M Anibal Godoy, Judson, Magnus Eriksson, Cristian Espinoza, Valeri Qazaishvili (Shea Salinas 64'); F Chris Wondolowski

SJ Unused Subs: GK Andrew Tarbell; D Paul Marnie; M Jackson Yueill, Florian Jungwirth

Game Events

Goals

49' - Quintero (PK) - MIN

52' - Ibarra (Quintero) - MIN

75' - Cummings (Own Goal) - MIN

Discipline

3' - Eriksson (YC) - SJ

61' - Godoy (YC) - SJ

65' - Schuller (YC) - MIN

MNUFC QUOTE SHEET

MINNESOTA UNITED FC HEAD COACH ADRIAN HEATH

On Minnesota gaining confidence from tonight's result...

"Well obviously, winning always breeds confidence, but I'm more concerned, as I mostly am, about the performance. The level of performance was what we expected, and if we play like that, it's normally enough to win games. You know, two road games, six goals, and tonight, we conceivably left a few out there because we probably should have been two or three up at halftime, truth be known. So it's been a really good performance, pleased with the group, pleased with the fact that it's a clean sheet. It's a good start."

On Minnesota's defensive game plan...

"I thought that the back four defended the goal really well when they put balls in the box, because we know when they have balls in the box, they got probably one of the best forwards for his movement in the league, Wondo. I think they had one cross in the first half and he nearly got on the end of it and it hit the post. Overall, I thought we were well worthy winners I thought we were the better team from probably minute one to 90."

On halftime adjustments...

"We didn't make too many adjustments. We've worked all week on their shape because they do play different than every team in the league, they play virtually man for man and let your two center backs have it. The trick for us, and the issue for us was can we make the right decision when we get half way in their half, and I thought we did it on the whole. It's not an easy system to play against, but I thought all the stuff we worked on during the week pretty much came through."

On Romario Ibarra and Darwin Quintero's movement in tonight's match...

"Romario's pace, he's always going to get that opportunity like he did in the first half where he goes through one on one because he's very explosive, really quick, and if we get the ball to the little fella, and get balls in them pockets, he make things happen, he always does. I thought some of his stuff was outstanding tonight, I thought he was arguably one of the best players on the field. It's another big performance for him, and a good start for us."

On the midfield partnership between Osvaldo Alonso and Jan Gregus...

"I've said this before, I'm glad they've had a couple good game together, because I wouldn't change them two for anybody in the league. Ozzy's been the best number six in this league for 10 years. As I said, we brought a Slovakian international to come and play alongside him. I don't think it's a coincidence that we dominate both games in possession because we've got two really good continuity players in there, we got people who know where to go to stand, to get the ball. We got people who know when to pick the pace of the game up, when to slow the game down. That's only going to get better - that partnership."

On previous matchups against the San Jose Earthquakes...

"We haven't really played badly here. The worst we played was at home when we got beat. We've actually played quite well here, and we haven't took our chances when they've come our way and I was thinking a little bit, here we go again at halftime. Obviously getting the penalty was - which it was a penalty, but you know goals change games, it's the oldest saying in football, and if you score at the right time, especially on the road, it changes the whole complex of the game."

MINNESOTA UNITED FC MIDFIELDER JAN GREGUS

On Minnesota United's performance...

"We had a lot of good opportunities in the first half, for me as well. We just said to ourselves, we have to patient and more chances will come and that's what happened."

On his midfield partnership with Osvaldo Alonso...

"It's very easy to play with Ozzie. He's a very good player, I like to play with him, and pass to him every time, and he can pass to me every time, so it's been good so far."

On defending against Chris Wondolowski...

"Like I said, we knew about their tactics, and we didn't look at one man in particular, but more of the team, the way they play. We did a good job defensively and kept the clean sheet which is very important for us."

On Minnesota gaining confidence from tonight's result...

"Of course, it's very good. Obviously, everybody knows how it was the last few years. We have our goal. Now we have to go game by game, step by step and that's what we are doing right now. We are successful, and we work every single day to get better and try to improve."

MINNESOTA UNITED FC DEFENDER IKE OPARA

On the first clean sheet in almost a year...

"I'm learning all these new facts every game. I didn't know that either. Last week we got our first road win against a Western Conference opponent, I didn't know that. I think everyone is tired of the narratives that we suffered over the last couple of years and guys are prideful and first and for most we want to keep clean sheets and do our best with limited opportunities so I think that's where the focus has been and we believe that we hit our goals and chances going forward if we can just sustain some stability in our defensive shape. So, I think these first two games we were really good in the open play defending. I think that Vancouver game we were a little slow on the dead ball pieces, but other than that I think the open play has been pretty promising these first couple of games."

On being a newcomer with a positive effect on the team...

"I think it's been a calming effect on the group, we don't have that baggage of the last couple of years, we come from winning organizations, winning teams and we have the mentality that each and every game we want to win home or away. I think injecting that new life has been big for a lot of the guys around us, the belief that we can be competitive each and every game no matter who we are playing, and I think we've demonstrated that over the first couple of games."

On making the right move to Minnesota...

"It's an opportunity that's in front of me that I'm really proud of and pleased to be here. I'm just taking it one game at a time, looking forward to be settled. So far so good, it's so early in the season, we have a lot of improvement to do, this has been a new challenge for me, trying to get this group of guys in the belief that we can win here and we want to win here. I think it's been really exciting, rejuvenating for me, so I look forward to keeping that going."

On not letting Wondo get a goal tonight...

"Just on a personal level I'm glad he didn't get it against me. I was his teammate years ago and that would be something, he would stick it to me when he can get a chance. Everyone knows Wondo at this point, you would think everyone knows Wondo, he's one away from tying the record, He somehow finds a way to get opportunities, making space in the box, timely runs, he's opportunistic. I thought we did a really good job defending that today. The one chance he kind of had today it was really Boxall slips, better conditions that's a clearance and Wondo never gets that chance. I thought we were really smart with how we defended Wondo."

On improving set piece defending...

"I think the first game against Vancouver we lacked a little bit of that concentration, but we made some adjustments. But really it comes down to attitude, it comes down to be attentive to situations. Guys are getting ready to serve a ball, at the end of the day are you willing to go up and win it and competing throughout the game. If it's open play I think the dead ball situations get over looked for guys willing to compete and challenge and run through a header with maybe an opponent or two next to you and that's what we kind of lacked and that's what we are trying to change."

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