Minnesota United’s offense was disjointed for the majority of Saturday’s game against Seattle at Allianz Field, so it was fitting Joaquin Pereyra’s goal was garbled.
The Loons midfielder sent an in-swinging ball from outside the box and toward goal in the 73rd minute. It might have been a cross, or perhaps a shot, but either way it rippled the net and was the difference in a 1-0 win over Sounders.
After walking off the field shaking his head after a non-threatening first half, Pereyra could crack a smile after his second-half goal.
The Loons held a team-only meeting immediately after a 2-1 loss to Colorado to address how the same things were resulting in them slipping up. But MNUFC (13-6-8, 47 points) eliminated defensive mistakes that cost them against the Rapids and in Leagues Cup to post its first shoutout in 11 straight MLS matches since May 28.
Goalkeeper Dayne St. Clair made some crucial saves in stoppage time to produce the win.
Seattle (11-7-8, 41 points) controlled the game, but the Loons stopped their unbeaten run at 10 straight games. MNUFC also completed a season sweep on Sounders.
Seattle became the latest team to employ a five-man back line against Minnesota. Seattle hasn’t used that formation in MLS play since May but used it to success on Saturday.
The first half was uneventful for both teams, with a combined three shots on target and a total of 15 touches inside the opposition’s box.
In a top Western Conference matchup, Loons started arguably its best XI: forward Kelvin Yeboah, midfielders Tani Oluwaseyi; Joaquin Pereyra, Wil Trapp, Robin Lod; defenders Joseph Rosales, Nico Romero, Michael Boxall, Carlos Harvey, Bongi Hlongwane; and goalkeeper Dayne St. Clair.
Looking for a jolt, head coach Eric Ramsay subbed out Yeboah in the 68th minute, with left wing back Anthony Markanich coming in. Oluawseyi moved to forward and Joseph Rosales moved into midfield.
Yeboah seemed perplexed to being taken off, putting his hand out as if to say “why?” Ramsay just slapped his hand.
Briefly
Hassani Dotson cleared a milestone in his rehab from his meniscus injury this week, joining in warmups for training. But with him placed on the season-ending injury list, he won’t be able to make a late-season comeback. … Former Kicks forward Alan Willey was part of 20-some former players and staff honored at MNUFC’s heritage match Saturday. At Loons training Friday, he joked about playing for the Loons. “I’m a game-time decision,” the 68-year-old said while looking down at a knee brace.
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