Loons fall out of MLS playoff spots with 2-1 loss to Vancouver

Andy Greder, Pioneer Press, St. Paul, Minn.
·3 min read

Oct. 28—Minnesota United started the 2021 season with the objective of playing in MLS Cup; now they will be fortunate to make the MLS Cup Playoffs.

After reaching the Western Conference final a year ago, the Loons are built to win now, but with two games left this season, their own mistakes have caused them to fall out of the seven available playoff spots.

An own goal charged to defender Michael Boxall contributed to a 2-1 loss to Vancouver at BC Place on Wednesday. It came on the heels of goalkeeper Tyler Miller's inability to save a free kick for a costly goal in a 1-1 draw with Los Angeles FC on Saturday.

The five dropped points sink Minnesota (12-11-9) from contending for the fourth spot in the West, and the home playoff game that comes with it, to outside the field in eighth place. Vancouver (12-9-11) jumped to fifth.

"It's a little bit of a double jeopardy, I guess you could say," midfielder Wil Trapp said of losing the game and dropping out of playoff spots. "There is nothing worse than having to rely on other teams."

Boxall's real offense wasn't the own goal, but rather allowing Vancouver forward Brian White to get behind and win a 70-yard ball over the top in the 45th minute. Miller got a hand on White's shot, but it went off Boxall's foot and into the net just before halftime.

"At this level, you make big mistakes and they invariably — you get punished," manager Adrian Heath said. "Boxy held his hand up as soon as he came in at halftime and said, 'that goal is on me.' "

The Loons continued their season-long inability to finish their scoring chances. They had good opportunities in the first half, but it was no more glaring than Adrien Hunou's rolling shot going off the post in the 62nd minute.

A minute later, White scored his 12th goal of the season when he slid a shot to Miller's right.

"Two disappointing goals; they didn't have to work hard enough," Heath said.

Trapp said in the transition after Hunou's shot, Minnesota stepped out to defend too soon. "We were in those no-man's land positions," Trapp said. "It's great finish, to be honest. ... That's something, especially in transition against a team that likes open play, we need to be more buttoned up on our communication on our shifting and delaying plays because they want the game to be open like that. We didn't do a good enough job of stymieing those types of plays."

Loons striker Fanendo Adi made his own rebound to get a goal back in stoppage time.

Just before kickoff, Real Salt Lake got a 90th-minute goal from Albert Rusnak for a 2-1 win over Dallas that put RSL ahead of Minnesota with a tiebreaker. Portland ended its lull with a 2-0 win over San Jose. L.A. Galaxy lost to Sporting Kansas City, however, to keep at least one club from separating themselves from Minnesota.

With only two chances left, first-place Sporting KC comes to Allianz Field at noon Sunday, and then Minnesota goes to Southern California to face L.A. Galaxy on Decision Day on Nov. 7.

"It means we have to win at the weekend," Heath said. "We said our home form is going to be crucial and the last couple of weeks it's been good. We go again this weekend. Very difficult opponent, but one we can win if we play as well as we can and that's what we got to do."