Positives
Playing at home (and scoring first). Minnesota United is now 8-1 on the season after scoring first. Scoring proficiency has been a major factor in their recent success: the Loons have scored 14 goals in their last four home games, prior to that they had scored nine goals in their previous eight home games.
Negatives
Absolutely none. Most dominant win in the club’s burgeoning MLS history.
Coach Rating Out of 10
9 — It’s well documented that Adrian Heath had the rug pulled out from under him at Orlando Ciy SC after about 1.5 years at the helm. In that situation, Heath felt he deserved more time to realize his project. How fitting that as he’s just recently passed 1.5 years in charge at Minnesota United, and he’s got the Loons soaring higher than ever.
Player Ratings: 1-10 | 10 = Best
(Players introduced after 70 minutes get no rating.)
GK Bobby Shuttleworth, 9 — It’s not hard to picture United as cellar dwellers in MLS if it wasn’t for their stalwart goalkeeper. Not only are his saves spectacular, but they’re often timely, too. He has a legitimate argument to be an MLS All-Star.
CB Francisco Calvo, 6 — His upside is incredible for a defender, but he has the downside to match. His loss of possession gifted LAFC a goal to get back into the match. However, the rest of his performance was tidy.
CB Brent Kallman, 8 — He’s come a long way from the shakiness of his first few starts of the season. He once again looks like the sturdy presence we saw last season when he surprisingly found his place amongst the starters and only relinquished it due to injury.
CB Michael Boxall, 8 — You want sturdy defenders? Michael Boxall is more cinder block than he is human at the moment.
RWB Miguel Ibarra, 9 — Always in the right position, always making the offensive and defensive runs that he should. Now he’s starting to serve in sumptuous crosses. His confidence is clearly sky high. This is the influential Miguel longtime fans remember from the days of the NASL.
LWB Alexi Gomez, N/A — Substituted in the first half due to injury.
CM Collen Warner, 7 — The MLS veteran’s experience has really been on display as of late. The 30-year-old is making timely interventions defensively now, and his understanding of the tempo of the game, namely deciding when best to settle the game or when best to push the pace, has been superb. It’s clear this role as the deepest lying midfielder suits him far better than any other role he’s had while at United.
CM Ibson, 7 — Linked up play and kept possession churning throughout. Now that Schuller and Warner are entrenched behind him, he’s getting forward more and more. This definitely makes Minnesota that much more dangerous going forward.
CM Rasmus Schuller, 7 — Does so many little things for the team that go unnoticed. If we’re comparing guys on the team to inanimate objects, then the Finnish international is certainly the glue.
ST Darwin Quintero, 8 — Another goal and another assist. Hard to argue that he’s not one of the best players in all of MLS. And on current form, among the Top 3 overall.
ST Christian Ramirez, 8 — The 27-year-old striker was stellar on Sunday evening and played like a man with his starting job on the line. He’s got a tall task in keeping United’s second designated player on the bench, but this two-goal performance was certainly a good start.
Substitutes
RWB Eric Miller, 7 — Entered the fray and didn’t miss a beat. Provided a fantastic pass to assist Quintero’s goal.
