During a cold home opener in St. Paul on Saturday, Minnesota United sent its bundled-up fans home with three points. Amid 20 degrees temperatures, the Loons edged FC Cincinnati 1-0 at Allianz Field.
Kelvin Yeboah scored in the 66th minute. The Loons striker was in the right spot when Tomas Chancalay’s free kick from 19 yards out took a deflection, ricocheted off the post and Yeboah headed it into the net.
Yeboah, who scored in 2-2 season-opening draw at Austin, received a warm applause Saturday when he exited the game in stoppage time.
Minnesota (1-0-1, 4 points) remained unbeaten, while FC Cincinnati (1-1-0, 3 points) took their first defeat.
New Loons coach Cameron Knowles gave a fist pump at the final whistle. It was his first win as a permanent head coach.
Loons captain Michael Boxall was subbed out in the 77th minute after he appeared dazed from receiving contact to the head from Cincinnati forward Tom Barlow. The play did not result in a card from referee Marcus DeOliverira.
James Rodriguez was on the Loons bench for the first time, but the Colombian superstar did not make his MLS debut. Knowles said the game state would determine if Rodriguez would play, but MNUFC was in the lead when likely would have subbed into the match.
Cincinnati controlled the opening 25 minutes of the match with five corner kicks and seven shots to one corner and one shot for Minnesota.
The Loons gained a foothold to close out the half and both teams had eight attempts on goal in the first half. Five of Minnesota’s shots were outside the box in the opening 45 minute, which led to frustration from teammates that weren’t on the ball.
FC Cincinnati played without creative attacking midfielder Evander, who’s hamstring injury led to an early exit the 2-0 win over Atlanta last weekend.
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