Minnesota United started Leagues Cup in a similar vein to how they paused MLS play last week — without several key players available.
For the Loons, it got worse in the 65th minute Friday when Hassani Dotson was sent off with a red card.
The 10-men Loons on held for 87 minutes, thanks in large part to goalkeeper Dayne St. Clair, but Seattle forward Jordan Morris and Paul Rothrock scored late to give the Sounders a 2-0 win in the Leagues Cup West Group 6 group play at Lumen Field on Friday.
MNUFC will play Mexican club Necaxa at 8 p.m. Tuesday at Allianz Field. Necaxa and Seattle will Aug. 4 in Washington. The top two teams advance to the knockout stages in the second week of August.
Despite St. Clair’s nine saves, including a denial of Albert Rusnak on a penalty kick in stoppage time, the Loons have lost all 10 matches in Seattle since 2017,
MNUFC started a back line with three inexperienced players, including rookie Hugo Bacharach getting his first start since April, converted central midfielder Carlos Harvey and MNUFC2 attacker Loic Mesanvi. Morris Duggan, another MLS rookie, replaced Bacharach at halftime.
That was a challenge against an experienced front line from Seattle, which included Jordan Morris, Albert Rusnak and Pedro de la Vega.
Both teams had scoring chances in the first half, with Dayne St. Clair stepping up to make four saves, while Minnesota’s attacks broke down before reaching a shot on target.
The Loons best chance came from the head of Bongi Hlongwane in the 25th minute. Off a cross from Joseph Rosales, Hlongwane’s header went off the bar.
Briefly
The Loons on Friday were nearing the finalization of two summer transfer window additions: forward Kervin Yeboah and defender Jefferson Diaz, a source told Pioneer Press. … Mesanvi, who was called up on short-term loan from MNUFC2, received his first start with the first team on Friday. The Lakeville South graduate hasn’t played for first team since March. … MNUFC came into Leagues Cup with an overall ranking of 32nd out of 47 clubs in the field. Seattle is 13th, Necaxa 44th. … Dotson’s red card came from a hard tackle of Seattle striker Raul Ruidiaz, who limped off the field four minutes later, while Dotson also will be suspended for Tuesday’s match in St. Paul. … MNUFC played without Robin Lod, Sang Bin Jeong, Michael Boxall, Wil Trapp and DJ Taylor.
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