The sweet taste of victory was made even sweeter this weekend as Minnesota United earned their first ever win in Commerce City, Colorado. Goals from Luis Amarilla and Miguel Tapias pushed the squad to a 2-1 dub to cap off a solid road performance. Now, with seven points from the first three games, the Loons have shown early on that they are a force to be reckoned with in 2023.
Following the game, Head Coach Adrian Heath was quite pleased with his team, praising his Honduran internationals in particular.
“It’s been a good start for us,” Heath said. “To go away to Dallas and come here to Colorado, which are traditionally difficult places to play, I’ve been delighted that we’ve got six points from two away games. Kervin [Arriaga], as I said a couple of weeks ago, is coming back to his best form. I thought Joseph [Rosales] was excellent today. He did a really important job for the team; he sacrificed himself in terms of getting in good spots to defend and give the fullbacks cover. The pair of them have been excellent today, and we needed them. On the road, you can’t afford to carry people, and they did some big things. Kervin won some big headers late on, and Joseph did some good defensive work in the first half and looked dangerous going forward. It’s been a good couple of weeks and a good couple of days for them.”
When they lined up on Saturday, there were three changes to the Loons starting 11. Joseph Rosales, Hassani Dotson, and DJ Taylor slotted in for Franco Fragapane, Wil Trapp, and Zarek Valentin. This test of depth proved fruitful in the end, as all three of these additions made major contributions to the game.
When they lined up on Saturday, there were three changes to the Loons starting XI. Joseph Rosales, Hassani Dotson, and DJ Taylor slotted in for Franco Fragapane, Wil Trapp, and Zarek Valentin. This test of depth proved fruitful in the end, as all three of these additions made major contributions to the game.
This was Hassani Dotson’s first start since returning from injury, and he was certainly lively. He won the ball at midfield and carried it into the attack on multiple occasions, connecting his team and making things happen. Coach Heath was pleased with the shift he put in.
“He was excellent,” Heath said. “He will get better for that. We are going to need him next week. He will be an important piece for us. He’s got so much power and aggression. I know what it’s like, as I’ve had a similar injury to his. When you have that nine or ten months off, you are still always a little concerned, but he got through that, made some big tackles, and held the ball really well. It will be like having a new player for us. I think everybody is fully aware of my feelings on Hassani Dotson.”
Another bright spot on the night was the fluid play of the front four. Bongokuhle Hlongwane’s threatening presence at right wing was a cut above his usual play, dribbling with more control and drawing fouls in dangerous positions. If he can build off of that performance, this could be a huge season for the South African international.
At center attacking mid, Robin Lod looked even more comfortable, proving once again that he can master any position on the pitch. The interplay of Lod, Rosales, García, and Bongi in the first half was encouraging and entertaining to watch, a good sign for things to come.
For defender Miguel Tapias, Saturday was a big day. Not only did he score the game-winning goal, but the center back also earned himself a spot in the MLS Team of the Matchday for week 4. His impressive aerial ability has been on full display since joining the Loons, earning him an assist and a goal already.
“He’s surprising; when you see his size, he doesn’t get beat on a lot of headers,” Heath said about Tapias. “He manages to put his body against people to make it difficult for people who are physically bigger and stronger than him. He’s very good at getting himself in between, knowing when to drop off and knowing when to get tight. He’s shown all that composure.”
With this win, MNUFC remains one of the league’s undefeated teams this season. As they move forward, Adrian Heath believes they can continue this form, despite the opinions of some league pundits.
“Well, the only people that matter are the coaching staff and the players,” he said. “We believe that we are capable of putting runs together and winning games in this league. I don’t really concern myself with what outside people think. As long as we keep working hard and doing the things we ask of them, and we play with that same energy, determination, and desire, then we can win more games as well.”
The Loons will be returning to Allianz Field this weekend to take on the Vancouver Whitecaps on Saturday, March 25 at 7:30 p.m. CT.
UP NEXT
Minnesota United FC v. Vancouver Whitecaps
Allianz Field | Saint Paul, Minnesota
03.25.2023 | MLS Week No. 5 | MLS Game #4
7:30 pm CT (Exclusively on AppleTV’s MLS Season Pass)
