Loons’ sour taste from Open Cup loss will be hard to remove vs. New York City

Andy Greder, Pioneer Press
·3 min read
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Part of Minnesota United’s justification for not putting out its best roster for the U.S. Open Cup Round of 16 match against Union Omaha on Wednesday was a separate emphasis placed on the MLS regular-season game against New York City FC at 7 p.m. Saturday at Allianz Field.

The stunning 2-1 upset loss to Omaha — a third-tier club in USL — in the national tournament puts even more pressure on the Loons to produce a home win in league play this weekend. The sour taste will be hard to remove.

NYCFC, the defending MLS Cup champion, is riding a seven-game unbeaten streak in league play (6-0-1) since early April. New York’s offense leads the league with 6.3 shots on target per match, is tied for second with 2.0 goals per game, and league MVP candidate Valentin “Taty” Castellanos is tied for third in MLS with seven goals this season.

“I think they are the best team in the league,” Loons manager Adrian Heath said Friday. “… It’s going to be a huge test for us. I know that (head coach) Ronny Deila is experienced enough to know that if we play like we can, how we did against the Galaxy, like we defended against Dallas, this will be a tough afternoon for them.”

The Loons won’t have their “A” lineup Saturday, either. Veteran center back Michael Boxall and central midfielder Kervin Arriaga are suspended due to yellow-card accumulations in MLS action.

The losses within Minnesota’s spine could make it more susceptible for NYCFC’s already lethal attack.

If MNUFC is able to top New York on Saturday, it would go along with a quality road win at FC Dallas last weekend. Together, it would be a swish of Listerine after Wednesday.

TURNING THE PAGE

The loss to Omaha is MNUFC’s worst defeat since the club went into the first division in 2017, and the Loons’ focus is now solely on the MLS season.

“This is a different competition,” Heath said. “As much as we have to put it behind us, we don’t forget how unacceptable the performance was — collectively and individually.”

Brent Kallman, who is likely step in for Boxall, said the team’s bounce-back won’t be known until Saturday night.

“It might be a little too early to tell for sure, but the attitude was really good (Friday),” the Woodbury native said. “People are focused on getting ready for the game. … Everybody knows in this business you have to have a short memory.”

BRIEFLY

After Minnesota rested leading scorer Robin Lod for the Omaha game due to minor injuries, Heath said he will be available to play Saturday. Defensive midfielder Wil Trapp (ribs) and strikers Luis Amarilla (foot) and Abu Danladi (thigh) are listed as questionable. All four of those players were involved during open portions of training Friday. “The team that will be available won’t be far from the team you think will play,” Heath said. … The Loons previously looked at bringing in Uruguayan midfielder Santiago Rodriguez but “we couldn’t afford him,” Heath shared. Rodriguez, 22, is on loan to NYCFC from Montevideo City Torque for the 2022 season. … Arriaga, who hurt his face in a collision against Omaha, could have his departure to the Honduran national team delayed by the injury. Post-practice Friday, he participated in a juggling circle with teammates without a protective mask or noticeable bruising.

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