MLS Minnesota United FC

MNUFC Suffers Stoppage Time Heartbreak in 2-1 Loss to Seattle

Published on August 4, 2018 under Major League Soccer (MLS)
Minnesota United FC News Release


MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. - Forward Darwin Quintero struck early but amidst heavy pressure, Minnesota United failed to hold on late and suffered a 2-1 setback in stoppage time to Seattle Sounders on Saturday in front of a sellout crowd of 24,482 at TCF Bank Stadium.

Minnesota led, 1-0, in the closing moments of the game, but Seattle shocked the Loons with goals in the 92nd and 97th minutes to send them to a heartbreaking defeat.

"Obviously bitterly disappointed," Head Coach Adrian Heath said. "Our home form has been really good. To come away with nothing is a little bit of a killer blow to be honest. They were hanging at the door and eventually they knocked it in."

Seattle pinned the Loons in their own end and put them under frequent duress in the game's opening minutes. With wingbacks Miguel Ibarra and Alexi Gomez hemmed in the defensive end, the three-man midfield was left spread out and MNUFC struggled to advance the ball up the field, but amidst the Sounders' relentless pressure the back line held its shape well and stood strong.

Though the Sounders generated nine shots in the first half, including six in the first 16 minutes, Minnesota goalkeeper Bobby Shuttleworth was not forced into a save until the 41st minute.

But against the run of play, Seattle gave forward Darwin Quintero a sliver of space to work with in the 19th minute and he took full advantage. After being played in the box by Ibarra, Quintero sidestepped his defender and, in the same motion, slid the ball just inside of the far left post to open the scoring. The goal was Quintero's seventh in the last seven games and his team-leading 10th of the season.

"After the first 15 minutes we started to control the game, got a good goal and had two or three other opportunities to go two up," Heath said. "I think that might have done it."

Quintero's countryman and fellow Designated Player, forward Angelo Rodriguez, earned the start up top in his first MNUFC appearance and as his team settled in after Quintero's goal, so did Rodriguez. Minnesota's new No. 9 twice nearly opened his account late in the first half. He missed a header high in the 31st minute and put another headed effort off the post in the 43rd minute.

"He wanted to start and he felt really good," Heath said. "He probably lasted a little bit longer than I thought he would. He gave us some strength. He feels like he probably should have scored, but he led the line well. He will give us a presence up there which is sometimes what we have needed."

Rodriguez's header off the post was the first of a pair of Minnesota chances to hit the woodwork in a two-minute span just before halftime. Quintero nearly doubled the lead in the 45th minute with a tight angle shot that went through Sounders goalkeeper Stefan Frei, but found the post.

Seattle again came out of the gate swinging in the second half, which led to a pair of close calls for the Loons. In the 58th minute, VAR was needed to determine conclusively that defender Francisco Calvo had not committed a handball in the box while sprawling to block a shot and, in the 63rd minute, Sounders forward Raul Ruidiaz was ruled narrowly offside on a play that ended with the ball in the back of the net.

The Sounders again racked up shots in the second half and finished the game with 20. That pressure finally paid off in the waning moments. In the 90th minute, VAR was again needed and this time judged that Ibarra was responsible for a handball on a Seattle service into the box. Midfielder Nicolas Lodeiro then stepped up and converted the shot from the spot to draw the visitors level at one.

Just moments later, Ruidiaz started a play that ended with forward Will Bruin racing through the defense and onto a headed pass. He beat Shuttleworth one-on-one to seal the Loons' disappointing fate.

"In the second half I don't think we ever really got going," Heath said. "When the six minutes (of added time) went up I thought the worst, I have to be honest. They were in the ascendency. They kept putting the ball in our box. Ruidiaz flicks it on and then we're not ready for the second one. So it is a poor goal and really disappointing."

Minnesota United now embarks on a five-game road trip, beginning next weekend with a trip west to face the Los Angeles Galaxy. Kickoff is scheduled for Saturday, August 11 at 9:30 p.m. CT. Pre-game coverage will commence at 9:00 p.m. on FOX Sports North, streaming on FOX Sports GO and on MNUFC Radio on 1500 ESPN.

Lineups

Minnesota United FC Starting XI: GK Bobby Shuttleworth; D Michael Boxall, Brent Kallman, Francisco Calvo; M Miguel Ibarra, Ibson, Collen Warner, Rasmus Schuller (Collin Martin 46'), Alexi Gomez; F Darwin Quintero, Angelo Rodriguez (Abu Danladi 69')

MIN Unused Subs: GK Matt Lampson; D Wyatt Omsberg, Eric Miller; M Romario Ibarra; F Christian Ramirez

Seattle Sounders FC Starting XI: GK Stefan Frei; D Kelvin Leerdam, Kim Kee-hee (Roman Torres 38'), Chard Marshall, Nouhou Tolo (Waylon Francis 46'); M Gustav Svensson, Osvaldo Alonso, Cristian Roldan, Nicolas Lodeiro, Harry Shipp (Will Bruin 76'); F Raul Ruidiaz

SEA Unused Subs: GK Bryan Meredith; M Alex Roldan, Jordy Delem

Match Events

Goals

19' - Quintero (Ibarra) - MIN

90+1' - Lodeiro (PK) - SEA

90+7' - Bruin (Ruidiaz, Leerdam) - SEA

Discipline

78' - Francis (YC) - SEA

90+1' - Ibarra (YC) - MIN

90+2' - Lodeiro (YC) - SEA

MINNESOTA UNITED QUOTES SHEET

MNUFC HEAD COACH ADRIAN HEATH

On the late defeat to Seattle Sounders FC ...

Obviously, bitterly disappointed. I thought after the first 15 minutes when we started to control the game, got a good goal, had two or three other opportunities to go two up, that we might have done it. But second half, I don't think we ever really got going. It was going to be a breakaway to go and get the second one. And I thought that they played well second half. They showed the quality of the players that they have. They've been to two finals the last two years, so that's the reason they've been there. They've got really good players, which has taken them four of five years to put together. Adding pieces like [Nicolás] Lodeiro, now [Raúl] Ruidíaz. You know, and that's what you're coming up against. You're coming up against quality. You know, and they're dangerous on set pieces because of the size they have and they have quality in midfield. Lodeiro and [Cristian] Roldán. As I said the other day, I think [Osvaldo] Alonso is looking as good as he's ever done. I said a few weeks ago that I thought they would make a real challenge for it. And nothing has convinced me [otherwise] this evening.

On the implications of the loss for playoff contention ...

It's disappointing. Our home form has been really good. Was it 89 -- the 90th minute? It was still 1-0. So, to come away with nothing is a little bit of a killer blow to be honest. You know, I was, when the six minutes went up, I thought the worst, I've got to be honest. Because they were in the ascendancy. Our quality to move up the field out of the back was disappointing. And then they kept putting the ball in our box. We were, too many times, we were just about nearly there. And they were hanging at the door. Eventually, they knocked it in. That goal was very poor from our point of view. You know, Ruidíaz, what is he, what is he - 5'8", 5'9"? - flicks it on and then we're not ready for the second one. So, it's a poor goal. Poor goal. Really disappointing.

On what he was hoping to see change before using a third substitute ...

I thought we ... The way the game was going, as I just said, I thought they were more likely to win the game. But I also thought that the way they were pushing men forward, we might get a breakaway again. And we nearly did on a couple of occasions. You know, the one we had - I know he brought it back for the penalty - but I thought the break that we had, that we missed the chance, I thought we were capable of that, that last 15 minutes. So that is why I didn't want to change it. I didn't want to put another defender on, because I thought that we would have attracted more and more pressure on. We weren't winning enough of the first ball in the box as well.

On whether there was something he would have liked to see the team do differently ...

Not really. Up until the 89th minute we were still winning the game 1-0. Defend better, maybe. Don't go for a ball with your hand. Let the attacker or the defender, whoever is going to head it, head it, and let them score. Make him score. See if Bobby [Shuttleworth] can save it, see if he can miss it. You don't give him a penalty. And then you win the first header. You know, you've got [Michael Boxall] and Brent Kallman down that side where the ball is coming. I don't expect a guy who is 5'8" to flick the ball on, and then Will Bruin running through one-on-one with the goalkeeper.

On the mood in the locker room post-game ...

Yeah. Realities of a professional sport. A lot of disappointed bodies in there. People are not happy. People say things in the heat of the moment, part and parcel of it. I've seen it a million times, and I'll probably see it a million more times.

On Ángelo Rodríguez's inclusion in the starting XI ...

Well, I thought he'd give us what he was. He wanted to start and he felt really good. Probably lasted a little bit longer than I thought he would. Gave us some strength. A great header. He feels like he probably should have scored. He led the line well, back to him. He'll give us a presence up there, which is, I think, sometimes what we've needed.

On his expectations as the transfer deadline approaches ...

Let's hope so. Let's hope so. I still think we could do one or two things.

On if he has any hopes in particular for the transfer window ...

No.

On Rasmus Schuller's injury status ...

I think he's got a groin, I think it is. But, we'll know better tomorrow.

MNUFC FORWARD ÁNGELO RODRÍGUEZ

On his debut ...

Good, good. I felt good. In my opinion, I think I had a good game. Unfortunately, we weren't able to get the result in the end.

On his fitness level overall ...

Good. Like I said, I felt good. At one point, the coach didn't see me that way. He thought I looked very tired. But well, I felt good personally.

On connecting with Darwin Quintero ...

We tried to have an understanding between each other. We had a couple of good plays. I think we're getting to know each other and well, that was the first game. Now, in these five games that we have to play on the road, we hope to play well and get good results.

On if he thought his header was going in ...

Yeah. That's what I've come here to do. I come to score goals. Unfortunately it didn't go in, it hit the post. But that's what I prepare for everyday. Like I said, it was my first game. I wanted to score and for the team to win, but that's soccer. Now, we have to prepare for what's ahead.

MNUFC MIDFIELDER MIGUEL IBARRA

On if he thought the handball call was the correct decision ...

I jumped with him and he hit me with the ball. I wasn't trying to handball it. Just unfortunate it was a handball.

On how he sums up the game after being ahead until 90' ...

I think this is a game that hurts. We definitely needed [a result] and I think we had it, but late goals. Just late goals. I think we've got to do better at closing out games.

On how the attack worked for the team ...

It felt fine. We had opportunities. They didn't go in, but I don't think we were as sharp as we usually are attacking wise. That's why we lost. Darwin [Quintero] and I were able to do the play we always do: him on the right and I go up and down on the right side. But that wasn't enough so we have to keep working.

On what Rodríguez brought ...

He's a big, physical forward. You play it into his feet and he's going to hold it off. He hustles, he doesn't let a loose ball go. I think for his first game, after not playing and coming in, he did well.

On refocusing after the loss ahead of a long road trip ...

I think we just forget about this game and now it's time to focus because this is a five-game stretch away. We know we haven't got the points we wanted to in away games. If we want to make the playoffs we're going to have to get as many points as possible from these next five away games.

On changes the team can make to get back to winning on the road ...

That's up to the coach. The players just keep working and whatever lineup he puts up, we all work together.

MNUFC DEFENDER FRANCISCO CALVO

On how he characterizes the disappointment of this defeat ...

This one has to hurt a lot, you know? Because I think they beat us with two long balls and two headers. So, I mean, all of us are disappointed first, because we lose the game in what, two or three minutes? But now, it is how it is. Football is how it is. Sometimes you make mistakes that cost a game, but now we need to get strong as a team and get our heads up.

On frustration and his conversation with Darwin Quintero ...

Yeah. We have a little bit of discussion over there, but it's passion. I can go on talking through it with him because he's my friend. And nothing happened. For me, for me that's past.

On the message to the team after something like that ...

Well, now it's a big challenge for us. It's a big challenge. Now, we know if we want to go to playoffs, we should win our games at home. Now we have five straight games away and it's a big challenge. Now, I think we are a very good team, I believe in all my teammates and I'm pretty sure we can take some points away if we have commitment and if we are together as a team. And now, just recover this week and train hard to get the three points in balance.

On if there was a moment when momentum shifted ...

I think the second half, for us, wasn't good enough. I think we didn't control the ball at all. We gave the ball away to them. They have [Román] Torres, they have Chad Marshall, and then they were losing and then they bring them up. So, I think sometimes -- I'm not pointing at anybody -- but we need to score and we need defend well. That's how you win games, you know? And, in the end of the game, Seattle send the big guys up in front and then they beat us with two headers.

On a disappointing loss before a five-game road trip ...

Yeah, I'm really disappointed and the whole team is really disappointed. How I said before, because we know the challenge we have ahead of us. But now, we can't do anything. And now, the game right now is past. And now, we need to train more than any other weeks and try to go to [LA Galaxy] and get points. And, I'm telling you, if it is not three points, we have to take at least one, you know? Because we know that we have five difficult games for us away. And then, we have the few games at home now. So, I'm pretty sure this team -- our main goal -- is stay alive. Stay alive. Our main goal is getting to playoffs and we're going to try our best.

MNUFC DEFENDER BRENT KALLMAN

On this being one of the most important games of the season ...

It's hard to know, but we knew this was a huge game because we have the roadstand coming up. The coaching staff talked about the importance of this game leading up to it, so everybody knew this was a big game for us and a huge opportunity to get all the points before we go on this road trip. I guess you could say this was a bigger game than most have been.

On if there was a moment when the momentum shifted ...

No, we were weathering the storm and doing a good job with it, but when you take so many balls in the box eventually things can happen and that's exactly what ended up happening. The one hits Miguel in the arm and they get the penalty and it's game on from there. I thought we were doing a good job, but when you are absorbing pressure like that, things like that can happen. That's why you don't want to allow so much stuff to come in.

On facing more pressure than he had previously ...

I don't know. They brought a sense of urgency and took control of the game because they were chasing it. It just kind of happens. When they do that they are opening themselves up to us catching them on the break as well. It's something where we are almost inviting it a little bit, but we do have to take our chances when we break out.

On how the team rallies after this result ...

It's all you can do. It's the only thing we can do now, we have no other options. We have to start finding a way to win on the road because we have five straight coming up. We have to find a way to start getting results on the road. It's the only thing that we can do.

On separating his play from the result ...

I thought we did a pretty good job, we were absorbing pressure and they weren't too dangerous, but obviously we got caught on the last one. A little bit of hesitation and got caught in no man's land and that's how they won the ball and was able to get through and Bruin gets it on net. It sucks, but it's a good reminder that it's a 90- to 95-minute game and if you lose concentration it can kill you.

On where this loss ranks for him ...

I think it's right at the top now. Because of the significance of the game it will hurt, but we have to shake it off before next week.

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