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MLS Minnesota United FC

Three Loons Shine in Scoring Showcase against Everton FC

July 20, 2022 - Major League Soccer (MLS)
Minnesota United FC News Release


SAINT PAUL, Minn. -- In its second international friendly of the summer, Minnesota United FC hosted Everton FC on Wednesday night at Allianz Field, treating the English Premier League side and Minnesota fans to a scoring spectacle while earning a 4-0 victory.

The Loons opened the scoring in the 18th minute when Everton midfielder Tom Davies was called for a handball in the box, awarding Minnesota a penalty kick. MNUFC midfielder Emanuel Reynoso took the attempt and converted the penalty to give the home side a 1-0 lead. Keeping strong possession and a persistent attack, Minnesota United defender Kemar Lawrence sent a ball into the box when Toffees' defender Michael Keane slid to clear the ball but scored an own goal, doubling the Loons' lead 2-0 in the 32nd minute. Just four minutes later in the 36th minute, Minnesota forward Luis Amarilla capitalized on a defender DJ Taylor shot that rebounded off Everton goalkeeper Jordan Pickford's initial save. Amarilla's goal extended the Loons' lead to 3-0. Adding to the scoring showcase, MNUFC midfielder Abu Danladi connected a defender Alan Benitez pass inside the box to bring the score to 4-0 in the 78th minute. Notably, both Loons' goalkeepers who saw action in the night - 2022 MLS All-Star Dayne St. Clair and Eric Dick - recorded shutouts in their respective halves.

MNUFC's victory against Everton marked the club's second win over a Premier League club, the first since the 2-0 win against Swansea City in 2014. Previously, the Loons had faced Premier League clubs A.F.C. Bournemouth in 2016 (0-4 loss) and Aston Villa in 2019 (0-3 loss). Additionally, MNUFC netted four goals in an earlier 2022 international friendly when SC Paderborn 07 visited Allianz Field (June 11) in a 4-3 shootout final.

On Saturday, July 23, Minnesota United travels to Houston to face the Houston Dynamo. Kick for Saturday night's contest is set for 7:00 p.m. CT and will be broadcast on Bally Sports North EXTRA and The CW - Twin Cities, with radio broadcast on 1500 ESPN.

ATTENDANCE: 17,112

LINEUPS:

Minnesota United XI: GK Dayne St. Clair; D Kemar Lawrence Bakaye Dibassy, Michael Boxall, DJ Taylor; M Joseph Rosales, Robin Lod, Franco Fragapane, Emanuel Reynoso, Bongokuhle Hlongwane; F Luis Amarilla

Bench: GK Eric Dick; D Brent Kallman, Nabi Kibunguchy, Oniel Fisher, Callum Montgomery, Jason Ramos, Devin Padelford, Alan Benitez; M Justin McMaster, Jacori Hayes, Niko Hansen, Emmabuel Iwe, Aziel Jackson; F Abu Danlandi

Everton FC XI: GK Jordan Pickford; D James Tarkowski, Nathan Patterson, Michael Keane, Vitalii Mykolenko; M Abdoulaye Dovcoure, Alex Iwobi, Tom Davis; F Dominic Calvert-Lwein, Anthony Gordon

Bench: GK Billy Crellin, Zan Luk Leban; D Mason Holgate, Reece Welch, Yerry Mina, Niels Nkounkou, Ben Godfrey; M Jean-Phillipe Gbamin, Lewis Warrington, Stanley Mills, Isaac Price; F Lewis Dobbin, Dele

UP NEXT:

MINNESOTA UNITED FC @ HOUSTON DYNAMO

PNC Stadium | Houston, Texas

07.23.2022 | MLS 2022 Regular Season | Week 22

7:00 pm CT (BSN/CW Twin Cities/1500 ESPN)

MINNESOTA UNITED POST GAME QUOTE SHEET

HEAD COACH ADRIAN HEATH

On tonight's favorable result...

"It was nice, it was a great occasion. Something that we were all excited about. I mentioned to a few of the guys maybe leaving it them tonight and come straight on saturday. Not one of them wanted to not play, as you can imagine. Obviously we hope that Rey's [Emmanuel Reynoso] not too bad with his ankle. The biggest thing is that we've come through pretty much unscathed and the confidence of winning a game against a premier league team is always nice. It's no indication of what's to come because I know what preseason's like. They'll be training really really hard and sometimes the games, players feel a bit laggy because of the amount of work they've been doing. They'll be better for the 90 minutes because I think it's only the second game they've had. I have no doubt that come kickoff time they'll be in the right shape."

On the level of concern for Emmanuel Reynoso...

"A little bit because obviously when he does the substitution signal before he's hit the ground really, you know it's pretty bad. He doesn't feel as though it's as bad. We'll have a better idea in the morning when he's slept on it and we'll see where we are."

On the penalty awarded in the first half...

"We're pleased with the game. Obviously it was a big day for me because everybody knows what this football club means to me. It changed my life, Everton Football Club and it's something that I'm really really proud of the group of players I played with and the team I played for was probably one of the most successful we've ever had. It means so much to me to welcome Everton to the stadium."

On the performance of the second half team coming on...

"I thought they were really good. They put a lot of effort, a lot of energy. The players, all of them come on and did a really good shift. I was pleased for Abu [Danladi] to get a goal. I was really pleased with some of the younger ones. I thought Nabi [Nabilai Kibunguchy] did well. Saw some good stuff."

On the difference in talent between the MLS and EPL...

"Well, I think that the MLS is getting better. I don't know if it's getting smaller [the talent gap] because I look at the amount of money and the quality of playing now in the premier league and as much as tonight has been enjoyable and a big win for us, that group when it comes around to the opening day of the season will be a lot lot different than they were tonight. I'm pleased for it a lot, pleased for the supporters. Great turnout again but I'm sure by the time opening day comes around I'm sure they'll be ready for that anyway."

On the second half performance of Alan Benitez as right back...

"Well he was moaning in the dressing room about how long it takes to get his visa and then it came through two minutes later so we're pleased to get him on the field cause he's been here a couple of weeks now and been training really hard so he got a bit frustrated but it was nice to get him on the field. You saw some of his qualities, he's a really good passer on the ball, got in the final third for Abu's [Danladi] goal so it was a lot of pleasing stuff."

On what he wants his players to gain from this experience...

"Well I think the most important thing for some of the younger guys is that they've played against premier league players and they know what the level is. I think that the first thing that jumped out is the physicality. You look at the size of the center backs, and Dominic [Calvert-Lewin] etc, and Yuri [Mina] comes on. You know, some big guys in the premier league now."

On using two different lineups for the first and second half...

"I thought we've created a lot of chances this evening, if you go back. It's been a really good ending for us, and as I say I was really pleased with some of the younger guys because they get a bit frustrated for not being in the first team, and not being in the first team squad. This was a great opportunity for them tonight and a few of them did really well."

On his thoughts on Everton FC...

"I think it's always difficult to judge a team when they come to you in the preseason when you're in the middle of your season. Obviously, our lads are in really good shape now but trust me, come opening day I bet they will be a lot more different than they were today. You know, the most important thing for them in preseason is to get everybody fit and healthy for the opening day of the season. I'm sure that Frank [Lampard] would've liked to have won the game, but at the end of the day he knows that the most important thing is the opening day of the season."

On Will Trapp's injury status...

"Well we'll have an MRI and we think it will be three to five weeks maybe. So you know, it's not great news but hey, it is what it is. Occupational hazard I'm afraid."

DEFENDER CALLUM MONTGOMERY

On his thoughts following tonight's result...

"I felt like we just wanted to make sure we came in with the right attitude and I think right from the first half we really set the tone and tried to impose our game on them as well. We knew they were a top top opponent and some big name players over there, but we wanted to make sure our identity showed as well."

On the consistency of tonight's performance...

"I think as a second group we just wanted to make sure our level didn't drop and come and give our own energy and show our own flair throughout the half. I think we did a great job to pick up right where the first team left."

On his feelings towards playing a premier league team...

"You know it's an awesome experience. These are guys that play on the biggest stage every single weekend so it's a great opportunity to test ourselves against some of the taller players and I think we showed we're capable of performing, granted their in preseason and a lot of other factors but it felt amazing to be out there competing with them."

On his thoughts on the final result...

"Yeah, a hundred percent. I think that it gives us confidence moving forward but it's a friendly and they're in the first couple of weeks just tuning up so you can't look too much into the result but overall we're gonna take this energy and keep it moving against Houston on the weekend."

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