It may be April 1, but Loons fans are allowed to believe what they’re seeing. Following their 1-0 win against St. Louis CITY SC, Minnesota United not only remain undefeated, but have picked up all nine possible points from their three road matches in 2023.
The first 45 didn’t surprise anyone. The Western conference’s highest-scoring offense dominated the ball, with St. Louis keeping a whopping 60% possession in the first half. The Loons were happy to let the home team pass it around, though, displaying the defensive solidity that has become a hallmark of Minnesota’s 2023 season thus far.
In just the 10th minute, CITY saw a Lowen header clang off the crossbar, narrowly missing out on snatching an early lead. Following the close call, St. Louis’s attacks came in waves.
A chaotic start to the game in midfield saw turnover after turnover spark plenty of counter-attacks, none of which really caused the MNUFC backline many problems. As the league’s newest team tried to find their way through, the Loons stood tall and waited for the right moment to go the other way.
In possession, MNUFC looked calm and collected. Kervin Arriaga’s sharp passing from the middle of the park exposed the St. Louis backline more than once, though the chances created were promptly snuffed out.
The best chance of the half fell to the Loons, as a well-timed through ball found the feet of Luis Amarilla as he was breaking toward goal with pace. His ensuing cross wasn’t quite good enough for either of his teammates waiting in the box, but breaking down their opponents’ defensive shape seemed to light a fire in the squad.
After weathering a reasonably-mild storm in the first half, the Black and Blue came out of the break with renewed vigor. They never seemed to tire, showing fitness levels typically associated with mid-season form.
St. Louis appeared to be out of ideas and simply incapable of dealing with the energy of the Loons in the second half. The visitors grew in strength as time ticked on, getting closer and closer to breaking the deadlock. It all came to a head in the 76th minute, when Luis Amarilla drew a foul from St. Louis’s Kyle Heibert in the 18. The striker buried the penalty he earned, giving his team the lead they deserved.
For the remainder of the match, MNUFC’s composure and experience helped them see the game out. The dream center back pairing of Michael Boxall and Miguel Tapias was incredible on the night, while the efforts of Bongokuhle Hlongwane, Wil Trapp, and Dayne St. Clair added even more to an overall fantastic performance from Adrian Heath’s team.
Some nervy moments in the dying minutes of stoppage time saw the Loons bend, but never break. As the match wound down, the home side resorted to simply getting the ball into the box as quickly and often as possible, panicking in the face of what ended up being their franchise’s first ever MLS loss.
While St. Louis saw the majority of the ball in the first half, the possession seemed to make the hosts uncomfortable. In many ways, the Loons beat CITY at their own game, displaying a near-flawless execution of the 4-4-2 formation and adapting when they felt they were on the front foot. St. Louis may have looked more likely to score in the first 45, but they never looked like the better team.
With another big win under their belts, the road-warriors of MLS seem ready to pick up points in anyone’s house. The Loons will be back on the road next week, as they are set to take on the Chicago Fire in the Windy City on April 8.
UP NEXT
Chicago Fire vs. Minnesota United FC
Soldier Field | Chicago, Illinois
04.08.22 | MLS Game 6
7:30 pm CT (Watch free on AppleTV’s MLS Season Pass)
