According to a quick Google search, there are—at the very least—hundreds of places called San Jose around planet Earth. While I’m sure each San Jose differs in culture, geography, and so much more, one thing is true regardless of which one you’re in tonight: the Loons won. That’s right, Minnesota United won the Battle of Black and Blue against the San Jose Earthquakes with a 1-0 scoreline, and while it feels early to say this, it was a classic performance from Eric Ramsay’s squad.
Get used to these tight games, folks. We’re only three games into the season, and it’s already pretty clear how this Loons team is going to play throughout 2025. Get bodies behind the ball, stay compact and disciplined, and pounce on the opportunities that you force the opposition to give up. Is it pretty? In its own way, yes. Regardless of the wording, though, I think every definition of the word “effective” would agree: this style works.
Ramsay’s approach has shifted the attacking focus almost entirely onto countering. This team is direct and purposeful, completely unconcerned with keeping possession for possession’s sake. A true five-man backline is designed to force the opponent backward, allowing them to keep the ball in areas that aren’t dangerous enough to cause immediate problems. Once they’ve pushed the opposition back, the Loons hope to force a mistake and move up the pitch to capitalize. The further up the field they win the ball, the more effective the ensuing counter will be, but these Loons don’t force the press.
While the hosts looked comfortable enough on the ball in the opening minutes, their creative spark diminished slowly but surely as the half progressed. The Boys in Black and Blue weathered the storm, displaying what is quickly becoming their trademark disciplined approach. Slight missteps in the attacking third kept them from getting on the scoresheet on their first few attempts, but if you just keep knocking, the door will open eventually.
The breakthrough finally arrived in the 32nd minute, and it was a familiar setup. The Loons once again demonstrated an ability to stay locked in for second balls, pouncing on a poor set-piece clearance from their hosts. Tani Oluwaseyi kept the ball in play with a headed pass to Michael Boxall on the edge of the box, where the captain served a pass to a patient Kelvin Yeboah at the top of the six. The best strikers never lose sight of the goal mouth, and despite a difficult position, Yeboah’s finish was on target and once again good enough for three points.
The second half deviated from the script a bit, with the Loons finding a flurry of opportunities in the first ten minutes. Bruce Arena seemed to have firmly shifted into attacking mode, leaving space for Bongokuhle Hlongwane to finally get forward and offer the threat that Loons fans know he’s capable of presenting. Scattered chances gave the visitors several opportunities to double the lead and put the game to bed, but finishing issues remained a problem for the squad to touch up on the training pitch.
Despite throwing everything but the kitchen sink at the Loons, Arena and his squad were unable to find the equalizing goal in the dying moments. They finished the game with four strikers on the pitch, and while their services into the box weren’t without a threat of their own, the Quakes simply couldn’t shake the Minnesota backline enough to open a big enough crack to score through.
Another composed, organized performance from this Loons side showcased an understanding and cohesiveness that isn’t often seen this early in our league, ending San Jose’s winning start to the season and making a statement in the process. The boys are clearly benefiting from their first preseason under Coach Ramsay, and with most of the transfer business being done last summer, this group is already familiar enough to make them a serious threat in the Western Conference moving forward—provided they pack their shooting boots for every future game.
A third outstanding performance from Morris Duggan—tonight’s Man of the Match—once again proved that the German defender belongs on this stage, while the growth in understanding between Yeboah and Oluwaseyi up top was encouraging for the future of their partnership. Though they would have liked to put away a few more chances, the Loons can walk away from their first road win of the season with their heads held high. Tune in next week for a second consecutive road tilt, as the Black and Blue head down the highway to take on their friendliest rivals in Kansas City next Saturday at 7:15 p.m. CT. And, don’t forget to turn your clocks forward an hour, people; save that daylight.
