3/24 RECAP: Loons' Young Talent Not Enough in Lopsided Loss to New York Red Bulls

This game was always going to be a challenge for Minnesota United FC.

Their improving defense was stolen away for international duty, and four new players started at the back, including rookies Carter Manley and Wyatt Omsberg — making their MLS debuts.

While the New York Red Bulls were also missing some players due to international commitments, their squad had plenty of firepower to dispatch the new-look defense as Bradley Wright-Phillips’ brace led them to a 3-0 home win over Minnesota.

Minnesota was always going to have to rely on their offense in this fixture, as the odds of holding New York scoreless were slim. Ethan Finlay, Sam Nicholson and Miguel Ibarra showed flashes of the promise they’d provided in the win over Chicago, but continually the Red Bulls’ back line would sniff out their final pass and prevent shots.

New York’s first goal looked like a symptom of a defense that had not played together at the highest level before, as Ibson and Marc Burch gave the goalscorer Alex Muyl entirely too much space to curve a shot past Matt Lampson just fifteen minutes in.

The Loons enjoyed some of their best passing of the afternoon after the goal, but registered just two shots in the first half, one from Ibarra on goal in the 34th minute, but a weak effort was no trouble for Luis Robles.

The trouble for Minnesota only got worse shortly thereafter, as Wright-Phillips made his way onto the scoresheet just beating Lampson to a ball on the edge of the six-yard box in the 42nd  minute.

The pressure following the goal for New York was relentless, as they had a third goal taken off the board for offsides just before halftime, and had a Wright-Phillips shot come off the post early in the second half.

The pretty passing moving forward continued to show some promise for United, but Christian Ramirez had his fourth straight frustrating game and was the first substitution as Abu Danladi returned from injury, with Minnesota looking to focus even more on the counterattack.

Adrian Heath moved quickly with his other subs, including an appearance for Mason Toye in his home state replacing Nicholson. Another sub featured a third MLS debut on the evening, this for Frantz Pangop.

Those two players came on in the 72nd minute, and there was a goal quickly after that, but not a lifeline for the Loons. Wright-Phillips got his second of the evening on a remarkable finish past Lampson, showing why he’s scored more MLS goals than anyone over the past five seasons.

Both teams had chances as the game dwindled away late, with a header from Toye coming off the crossbar and a great save from Lampson on a chance from Derek Etienne, but there was no consolation goal for Minnesota, soundly and predictably defeated. New York were the ones pressing for a final goal in stoppage time.

Overall, debuts for Manley and Omsberg had moments of quality and familiar communication woes to Minnesota United defenses of the past. Manley, in particular, had some fun moments going forward and looks like a prospect that will be fun to watch in future appearances.

That aside, changing out a team’s entire defense after three games of promise had a predictable result against New York’s very capable attack: a resounding defeat at Red Bull Arena.


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