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MLS Minnesota United FC

MNUFC Lose to CCL Champions Seattle Sounders 3-1

May 15, 2022 - Major League Soccer (MLS)
Minnesota United FC News Release


SEATTLE, Wash. -- The Loons came into Sunday's matchup with Seattle with a bit of encouragement, following the boys' 2-1 win against Colorado Rapids in Thursday afternoon's continuation of Wednesday night's kickoff to their U.S. Open Cup match. Unfortunately, that bit of encouragement would turn to discouragement after a second-half surge by Seattle ended in a resounding victory.

In the first half, MNUFC had looked to put the Sounders on notice, doing exactly that with Robin Lod's beauty of a goal in the 33rd minute of play. The goal made it Lod's 3rd in his last 4 MLS game appearances.

The Loons nearly took another goal into half when Franco Fragapane and Emanuel Reynoso had a back-and-forth exchange of passes that ended up being just one-too-many between them, ultimately not capitalizing on the chance to add a buffer for their lead, settling for a 1-0 lead at half. Although the missed opportunity was unfortunate, the first half left the squad feeling a level of optimism in growing that lead in the second half.

Unfortunately for the Loons, Seattle came out of the half with a spring in their step that had been missing in the first half. Minnesota's back four found themselves out of position, which ended up with Cristian Roldon being awarded a penalty kick that would be taken by Raul Ruidíaz. And, despite Dayne St Clair's exceptional effort on the attempt and tip, Ruidíaz's shot found its way inside the top of the net to even the match at 1-1.

As the offensive attack of Seattle ramped up throughout the second half, the next shoe of scoring to drop would come in the 73rd minute, as Cristian Roldan took the pass near the top of the box, turned to face to the goal and immediately put an absolute laser to the top right corner of the net, giving the Sounders some breathing room.

While the second half provided its share of opportunities for the Loons, there proved to be one or too many moves to materialize in an equalizing goal. Ultimately, while MNUFC may have done their best to press the Sounders defense and push for a shot to go their way, it was not to be.

Unfortunately, in the 93rd minute of stoppage time, Cristian Roldon struck once again, giving Seattle the extra buffer they only somewhat needed to easily cruise into the win column again with a resounding 3-1 victory over the Loons.

MAN OF THE MATCH: Goalkeeper Dayne St. Clair

LINEUPS:

Minnesota United: GK Dayne St. Clair; D Kemar Lawrence, Bakaye Dibassy, Brent Kallman, Oniel Fisher; M Kervin Arriaga, Wil Trapp (c), Franco Fragapane, Emanuel Reynoso, Robin Lod; F Abu Danladi

Colorado Rapids: GK Stefan Frei; D Xavier Arreaga, Nouhou, Yeimar Gomez Andrade; M Cristian Roldan, Nicolas Lodeiro (c), Albert Rusnak, Alex Roldan, Obed Vagas; F Raul Ruidiaz, Jordan Morris

UP NEXT:

MINNESOTA UNITED FC vs. LA Galaxy

Allianz Field | Saint Paul, Minnesota

05.18.2022 | MLS Week No. 12 | MLS Game No. 12

7:00 pm CT (BSN, 1500 ESPN Radio)

MINNESOTA UNITED QUOTE SHEET

HEAD COACH ADRIAN HEATH

On Seattle being a difficult place to play...

"Well, I'm sick to death of coming here and playing like we do. Playing as well we did the first half and then deciding that we are going to give them opportunities. They're too good for that. It's happened the last two or three times. We've got beaten by four the other year and for 80 minutes we're the better team, but then decided to beat ourselves and we keep doing it. As long as we keep doing it, we're going to keep getting the same results. Forget about coming here. This is a really good team. They just won the Champions League. Look at the front four. They've just taken [Albert] Rusnak, who was a DP in the league. [Raul] Ruidiaz. [Jordan] Morris going to the World Cup. [Cristian] Roldan. Nicolas Lodeiro. They've got quality. So the last thing we need to be doing is giving them opportunities by our stupidity and we continually keep doing it. We can't keep shooting ourselves in the foot."

On generating chances but not converting...

"When we play like we can, we can create. I thought we were excellent at times in the first half and we didn't have enough to show for it. But then you can't give this team a helping hand. We do it every time we come here. I guarantee that nearly every goal that goes in, if it's not incredible play because of the quality, we give it to them. And we tried our best today to give them even more."

On what needs to happen to fix some mistakes...

"We just have to stop making the mistakes or we start changing personnel. We can't keep doing it. It's not like we weren't prepared. It's not like we didn't play well, we didn't have a good shape. Everything about the group today was spot on. Maybe the final ball and maybe there were opportunities we didn't take. How we only had one goal to show for our attacking with our play in the first half is beyond me. But I seem to be saying the same thing. I'm sick to the back teeth of it. We can't keep doing what we're doing. If teams are going to beat us, let them beat us through their good play. Not by us giving them opportunities by stupid mistakes. And that's what we're doing at the moment."

On Robin Lod's goal in the first half...

"It should have been the first of a few. The amount of times we broke with three-on-two and two-on-one and didn't have enough in the end to show for it. But as I said to the players at halftime, 'You will get other chances' and we have. Bongi [Bongokuhle Hlgonwane] had a free header and should score. And we had another a couple efforts. Rey [Emanuel Reynoso] has had a couple of good chances. But we've given them opportunities to get back in the game. We can't keep beating ourselves and that's what we're doing at this moment in time. And I know I'm repeating myself but I can only say what I see going on."

On his thoughts about the penalty conceded...

"I'll have to see it again. It's one of them where you are down here in that level, and you can't really see what's going on. At the end of the day, forget the penalty. The one that changes the whole course of the game is we don't clear it after four minutes when there is no danger at all. At all. So we decide then to get the crowd back in the game. We decide to make the same mistakes and give them the opportunities."

On Luis Amarilla's return to action off the bench...

"He's working hard. He's working hard at his game. He's just come back off COVID and that's taken its toll on him a little bit, but it's good to get him some minutes on the field. As I said, I thought some of our approach play was very good. That final ball and ultimately our final touch wasn't what it should be at this level. And against this team, I've just named you their front four, as good as anybody in the league. That's why they win."

On feeling the intensity from the players...

"I don't know. We'll see. We've got another one Wednesday. I'm not going to keep putting up with it, I know that much."

On Dayne St. Clair's play in goal...

"It was unfortunate one on the penalty. A bit too much pace on the ball beat him, but, once again, he's guessed the right way and got his hands on it, so Dayne [St. Clair] has done well again. I don't think there's been anything that I go 'what a save that is' that he shouldn't make. He's keeping the goal really well, very competently. He's doing everything you can ask of him. He's not getting an awful lot of support in front of him at this moment in time."

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