Positives
Home form. The Loons looked well-oiled in the first half, integrating the new boy Ángelo Rodríguez swimmingly and flowing forward to create numerous good chances, including hitting the post twice. United’s stellar run of form at TCF Bank Stadium looked set for its fifth straight win as they led throughout all 90 minutes against a ruthlessly talented Seattle Sounders squad. Unfortunately for United, injury time must be played and the Sounders eventually broke down the door.
Negatives
Sitting back. There were two main problems from a Minnesota perspective Saturday night: 1. sitting too deep and inviting pressure 2. inability to possess the ball at all in the second half of the game. You could actually argue No. 2 was the primary problem and it only further contributed to No. 1. But it’s a bit of a chicken-and-egg situation. Minnesota United head coach Adrian Heath seemed to allude to his team’s struggles to play out of the back and overall lack of possession as the primary culprit. It seems ominous that all this took place after midfielder Rasmus Schuller was forced to be substituted at halftime due to injury.
Coach rating out of 10
3 — Though he was forced into an untimely change in the center of the park, it still felt like it was Heath’s decision to sit back and hold onto his team’s 1-0 lead for the majority of the second half, which ultimately backfired. Heath played the latter half of the game especially conservatively, not allowing his wingbacks to push up the field whatsoever. This gave the Loons no width, forcing them to send long balls forward as their only outlet. This resulted in Seattle winning back possession over and over again until they ultimately turned that possession into two goals.
Player ratings (1-10; 10 = best. Players introduced after 70 minutes get no rating)
GK Bobby Shuttleworth, 4 — Was rarely involved in the game despite Seattle out possessing Minnesota 63 to 37 percent (there was one five-minute interval in the second half where Seattle actually outpossessed Minnesota, 93.8 to 6.2 percent). Keepers will never be faulted for goals scored from the penalty spot and the same goes for a one-on-one with a striker, which was how the Sounders converted their second.
CB Francisco Calvo, 5 — Hard to fault him considering his team had held a shutout for 90 minutes.
CB Brent Kallman, 5 — Was in the right place at the right time all night, until he wasn’t. Seattle’s injury-time winner cut right through the middle of United’s center back trio where Kallman is charged with covering. Had a fantastic game up to that point but it was a crucial error.
CB Michael Boxall, 5 — Minimally involved in the match but usually played his cards right.
RWB Miguel Ibarra, 2 — One of the quietest performances we’ve seen from Ibarra all season — until the very end. Ibarra was sent on a clear breakaway in the 88th minute but instead of shooting chose to pass which led to an unbelievable save on Quintero’s shot attempt. Miguel should have shot; a goal there would have iced the game. Shortly thereafter, and rather ironically, it was Ibarra who was called for the handball in the box, which led to Seattle’s successful and tying PK. A dizzying and quite unfortunate spell for Miguel.
LWB Alexi Gomez, 6 — Offered something dangerous going forward in the first half but when his team was forced to sit in, he was forced to defend, and that’s not his strong suit.
CM Collen Warner, 4 — Kept possession ticking in the first half when United was actually able to move the ball. However, when Schuller left possession died and Warner could do little to resurrect it.
CM Ibson, 4 — Schuller’s absence should have put the onus on Ibson to create for his team. The Brazilian couldn’t manage it though as most Loons coughed up the ball far too often on the night.
CM Rasmus Schuller, 5 — Played his normal role of destroyer and distributor in the opening phase. Was greatly missed when he went off with an apparent groin injury.
ST Darwin Quintero, 8 — Was Mr. Magic in the first half, particularly with how he manifested space out of nowhere in the box to score the opening goal. And could have had two, if not for hitting the post. But it was in the second half when his team was struggling to do much of anything that he fell short of pulling the team forward. Although it should be noted he was fouled numerous times and the referee did a poor job of protecting him.
ST Ángelo Rodríguez, 8 — Had a fantastically good debut as he showed he has abilities across the board. Was unfortunate to hit the post, but the early signs are Minnesota has done a great job uncovering their second designated player.
Substitutes
CM Collin Martin, 5 — Played decently enough, but couldn’t replace the grit and intelligent movement of his Finnish counterpart.
ST Abu Danladi, 2 — Couldn’t find the ball at all.
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