We are part of The Trust Project.
ST. PAUL — Emanuel Reynoso wore a thousand-yard stare.
The face of Minnesota United’s star midfielder said it all from the back row of the bench after the Loons allowed three goals in less than four minutes of a stunning 3-0 loss to FC Dallas at Allianz Field on Saturday afternoon.
Combined with a 3-0 loss to Real Salt Lake on Wednesday, Minnesota’s defense is drowning. After a tight opening 54 minutes, one crack led to the dam breaking wide open.
Michael Boxall’s own goal came at 54:03, followed by Alan Velasco’s right-footed goal at the edge of the 18-yard box at 55:38 and Jesus Ferreira’s header goal came right down Main Street of Minnesota’s defense at 57:45. It was a total of three minutes and 42 seconds, but around a minute in game time, excluding FC Dallas’ trio of celebrations.
“Five minutes of madness has cost us dearly,” manager Adrian Heath said postgame.
ADVERTISEMENT
FC Dallas (12-10-8, 46 points) moved ahead of Minnesota (13-11-5, 44 points) into third place in the Western Conference standings. The Loons have one regular-season game in hand on Dallas with five to go before MLS Cup Playoffs.
“Certain fixtures take on more significance at certain times of the year,” manager Adrian Heath said Friday. “That is what’s happening (Saturday).”
The Loons did not rise to the occasion. They have given up six goals in the two full games since Bakaye Dibassy was lost for a season-ending quad injury. Seven if you include the back-line breakdown after Dibassy was lost a week ago against Houston.
MNUFC didn’t have any roster flexibility to make a free agent addition before the MLS roster freeze deadline Friday. There is no one walking in the door to save the Loons.
Boxall was beat on Ferreira’s goal. Right back DJ Taylor slipped to give Velasco space outside the box.
MNUFC defense had its hands full with Ferreira, Velasco, Paul Arriola, Sebastian Lletget, Paxton Pomykal. Loons have conceded goals in 20 of the last 21 games, blanking only downtrodden DC United in that stretch.
The Loons' defensive issues are collective.
Reynoso ailing
Reynoso exited the game to help alleviate a right ankle injury he aggravated just before halftime; he sat out the 3-0 loss to Salt Lake to give him some time to mend.
ADVERTISEMENT
Fragapane suspended
Franco Fragapane was sent off for a second yellow card in the 69th and will be suspended for next Saturday’s game at Portland Timbers.
______________________________________________________
This story was written by one of our partner news agencies. Forum Communications Company uses content from agencies such as Reuters, Kaiser Health News, Tribune News Service and others to provide a wider range of news to our readers. Learn more about the news services FCC uses here.
