With the odds stacked against them and the emotions running high for multiple reasons, Minnesota United pulled out an impressive 2-1 victory at Orlando City SC on Saturday night.
The narrative heading into the match centered around the return of head coach Adrian Heath and star man Kevin Molino to the club they help bring to Major League Soccer.
Talking with both during the week, you could tell both felt aggrieved at how things ended, but were also appreciative of their time spent there.
“Whenever you’ve put your heart and soul into building a club, you’re always going to have a ton of positives to reflect on,” Heath said after the match. “It’s been great being back,” he added, something surely easy to say after nabbing all three points on the night.
The result is all the more impressive when considering Molino’s return was cut devastatingly short due to injury and Minnesota had a dicey penalty decision go against them. The Loon’s battled throughout despite a growing list of obstacles in what could only be described as a spirited win.
Positives
In both games this season, United has shown a resiliency of a battle-hardened team. A stark comparison when you consider their numerous green-eyed performances last year that made them look every bit as much as the MLS newcomers they were. Like most teams, Minnesota needs it’s best players to perform well.
Ibson and Ethan Finlay did that to resounding effect in this one as both proved crucial to the win. Finlay’s two-goal effort showed how incisive the right-sided attacker can be, while Ibson connected everything through the midfield and provided much of the impetus for possession and going forward.
Negatives
The injury bug going around United is bordering on a full-blown epidemic. Kevin Molino is the headliner as he may have suffered a season-ending knee injury and is possibly the most talented player in the team. Minutes later, Sam Nicholson appeared to possibly tweak is hamstring.
This is, of course, in addition to Abu Danladi confirmedly pulling his hamstring and Christian Ramirez turning his ankle last week. Ramirez appears to okay. But combine Molino’s potentially serious injury and Danladi’s injury-prone record along with the MNUFC front office continued feet-dragging in the transfer market, and immediately you must be concerned with this team’s squad depth.
Manager rating out of 10
8 — Despite a torrid performance last time out, Heath stuck with essentially the same starting XI — Christian Ramirez played in place of the injured Abu Danladi — and it paid great dividends. That takes a lot of gall and eludes to a manager who knows his squad well. That’s a promising sign for Minnesota and makes you wonder what Heath would be capable with a front office that could consistently acquire new signings.
Player ratings (1-10; 10 = best. Players introduced after 70 minutes get no rating)
GK Matt Lampson, 8 — Statistically he wasn’t tested that much (2 shots on goal), but both those chances were gilt-edged and his maneuvers on each occasion were crucial. Lampson is proving steady in the early going.
RB Tyrone Mears, 7 — Similar to Lampson, you can feel the 35-year-old’s experience everytime he’s involved. He helps calm nerves in chaotic moments — something United severely lacked last season — and he contributes going forward to boot.
CB Michael Boxall, 6 — At times provides the exact type of blunt force needed from a rugged center back, but at others looks sluggish and the weakest of the current center-half pairing.
CB Francisco Calvo, 7 — Much improved from the captain compared to last week. Sturdy in defense and avoided making any of his trademark way-to-aggressive-for-a-defender plays. Looked poised and provided a couple of big clearances late to clinch the victory.
LB Jerome Thiesson, 8 — I’ll usually laud “Jerry” in these ratings and tonight is no different. Minimal mistakes, smart decision making and a few wow plays per usual. His magical turn and cross late should have ended in a goal.
CM Ibson, 8 — Now that’s more like it. Much improved from the Brazilian on the night and, boy, did United need it. This performance goes to show how successful Minnesota can be when one of it’s most talented players plays up to his reputation.
CM Rasmus Schuller, 6 — The Fin also made great strides compared to last week (3 rating) and cut out the head-scratching turnovers. With Cronin still fighting a seemingly uphill battle with concussions, Schuller and Ibson remain vital to the spine of this team.
RW Ethan Finlay, 9 — Identical to Ibson: had a rough go last week (4 rating), but turned it around completely and as a result, United looked so much better. He too, like Ibson, is among Minnesota’s best outfield players. His two goals were both quality finishes. The Loons will only truly fly if their best players propel them.
LW Sam Nicholson, 7 — Such a spark plug for United on the left wing, his tenacity is incredibly valuable to this team and he can also manufacture chances. Hopefully, the apparent injury he suffered in the second half is minor.
CAM Kevin Molino, N/A — Molino came off after suffering what a appeared to be a non-contact knee injury. Most are fearing the worst and Molino looked upset after returning to the sideline from the locker room. We’ll know more when the team returns to Minnesota in the coming days. (We will be sure to have ZoneCoverage’s injury expert Lucas Seehafer analyze the injury in writing or on the Minnesota Soccer Podcast when more information is released.)
ST Christian Ramirez, 5 — Largely anonymous from the game despite his usual crisp link-up play. His speed, or lack thereof, cost him a few good chances and could point to the reason Heath wanted Abu Danladi to start the season opener.
Substitutes
ST Mason Toye, N/A — The rookie had an incredibly eventful time after coming on for Ramirez. Toye was crucial in the buildup to the game-winning goal, should have scored after cross came directly to him and he was left alone in the box and then was one-on-one with the keeper, only to be called for diving after being taken down. Fascinating debut.
RW Miguel Ibarra, N/A — Looks much more confident on the ball thus far compared to last season. It’s a welcome sign for United he needs impactful subs — Ibarra provided just that with a pinpoint cross for the game-winning goal.
CM Collen Warner, N/A — Has steadied the ship both times he’s come on the season and United have yet to concede with him on the pitch.
