In the epic conclusion to Minnesota’s first double game-week of the 2022 MLS season, Storylines considers how best to stop Dallas’ potent attack, and what’s next for the man who will likely soon be Minnesota’s leading MLS goalscorer.
Slow The Roll
The Dallas attack begins and ends with Jesus Ferreira. Ferreira’s nine MLS goals lead the league by a two-goal margin, and Dallas’ team success is highly related to Ferreira’s individual success. Ferreira did not score while playing the full 90 minutes against Vancouver on Wednesday night, and Dallas subsequently lost 2-1 on the road. Through Dallas’ first twelve matches, they are 4-1-0 when Ferreira finds the back of the net, and 2-3-2 when he fails to do so. Forcing Ferreira to pass more and less accurately has foretold those results somewhat; in Dallas’ three most recent wins, Ferreira has completed over 80% of his passes, and in their last three draws or losses, he’s been below that mark. If Minnesota can force other members of the Dallas attack to beat them, they may be more successful.
Take a Lod Off
The 21 goal mark stands as a key figure showing the different ideas of Minnesota’s five-plus years in Major League Soccer. First Christian Ramirez, who ascended to the league with the club, and was the first to hit this mark; then Darwin Quintero, the club’s first Designated Player, who dazzled audiences at TCF Bank Stadium before his eventual departure to Houston; then Kevin Molino, who was a key catalyst in the club’s most successful playoff run in 2020. Now Robin Lod has joined the group, and Minnesota’s striker has a chance to stand alone above them all. Lod has scored in four of his last five appearances for Minnesota, and is on pace to smash his career best of nine MLS goals, set last season in 23 appearances. When Minnesota needed a goal with the clock winding down on Wednesday evening, Lod was there to strike. When he next does so, he will step above those who have come before.
Penalized
In First Touches, it was noted that the penalty conceded by Minnesota on Wednesday night was their third of the campaign, tied for the league lead. Dallas is one of the teams they are tied with, and the penalty the Texas club conceded on Wednesday evening was even costlier, as Lucas Cavallini scored to win the game for Vancouver. The opportunity was created from some chaos in the box, as Jimmy Maurer misjudged a catch, and some good footwork earned the penalty kick. Just as Minnesota must be careful in their own right after Michael Boxall’s handball, there may be a weakness to examine in the Dallas defense. Vancouver also found success attacking down the left, and Franco Fragapane will likely have watched this film with interest. Vancouver’s first goal came from a Cristian Gutierrez cross to the near post, and Brian White made no mistake with his header. Could this be a replicable formula for Minnesota?
MATCH INFO
FC Dallas vs. Minnesota United FC
Toyota Stadium | Frisco, TX
05.22.22 | MLS Game No. 13
6:00 pm CT (MLS Live on ESPN+, Bally Sports North, The CW-Twin Cities, 1500 ESPN)
