Loons pulls out 2-1 win at Nashville

Minnesota United set a club record for road wins in a season on Sunday with a 2-1 victory over Nashville SC at GEODIS Park. The Loons’ work away from Minnesota has entrenched them in the MLS Cup Playoffs race.

The Loons dealt with a steady stream of pressure Sunday, but after giving up four goals in each of their last two games, they didn’t concede multiple goals and made the most of their few opportunities to take all three points.

Minnesota (11-9-5, 38 points) improved to 6-6-1 on the road, which is one more win than the 2019 edition posted.

“We came in with the mindset that we can win anywhere and we can beat anyone,” goalkeeper Dayne St. Clair said postgame. “And we know right now the West is really tight, so while these games are away, we need to find a way to get points in these games.”

Minnesota also created some separation in the Western Conference from Nashville (8-9-9, 33 points), which suffered consecutive home losses for the first time in MLS.

St. Clair continued to bounce back after acknowledging he “cost” Minnesota with two misplays that led to goals allowed in the 4-3 loss to Colorado last weekend. The Canadian was named the MVP of the MLS All-Star Game on Wednesday and made seven saves to keep Minnesota in the game Sunday.

St. Clair relayed a message from goalkeeping coach Stew Kerr: to not take the “normal saves” for granted. “I think I showed that,” he said.

Loons right back Alan Benitez was struggling defensively Sunday, but earned redemption with the winning goal in the 75th minute. A week after his first MLS assist, the Paraguayan notched his first league goal.

“I thought he was better defensively this evening than he was in Colorado,” manager Adrian Heath said. “We had a long chat about his defensive positioning and obviously everybody plays differently. He’s been used to being a little bit higher up the field in a back five as a wingback. In a back four, you have to be alongside your center back. It’s something we talked about and something that he tried to take on board.”

Franco Fragapane had put MNUFC up 1-0 with a left-footed finish in the 27th minute. The Loons pounced on a poor pass from MLS All-Star Walker Zimmerman, with Kervin Arriaga winning the header and starting the counter attack. The Loons’ quick action had Emanuel Reynoso providing the assist to his fellow Argentine.

Fragapane has five goals and two assists over the last nine games since June 29. His presence on the scoresheet coincides with the Loons’ hot stretch: one loss in their last nine games.

The Loons were fortunate to have the lead as Nashville controlled the game. It outshot MNUFC 21-10, but Minnesota blocked six shots and Nashville also had seven corners to Minnesota’s one.

“We did a good job of defending the box,” St. Clair said. “They committed a lot of numbers, but we did a good job of clearing balls, things like that, blocking shots and I think we tried to limit as many quality chances as they had, even if they had quite a few chances.”

Heath brought on Joseph Rosales in the 73rd minute and switch the shape to a 4-3-3. Rosales’ cross to Benitez came two minutes later.

“We wanted to take that hole away, where (Randall) Leal was getting it from, and (Rosales) did a real good job of that,” Heath said. “Then broke forward at the right time and put in a good ball across the face. For a 21-year-old kid, he’s got a lot of maturity. Gets the game. Does as he’s told.”

Nashville earned an equalizer with a constant peppering of Loons defense in the second half. MLS All-Star Hany Mukhtar got space on the back post of a recycled free kick and scored to make it 1-1 in the 61st minute. Mukhtar is in the top five in the league with 15 goals.

New midfielder Jonathan Gonzalez made his MLS debut, subbing in for Reynoso in the 84th minute. It appeared Reynoso, who tweaked his ankle in the All-Star Game, had an issue at the end of his shift. Heath said he was kicked in the calf, but it isn’t a serious issue.

Nashville was without Teal Bunbury, a Prior Lake native, who picked up an injury in training this week. He had scored in the previous four games. Maple Grove native Luke Haakenson subbed into the game in the second half for Nashville.