Minnesota United’s three-goal outburst leads to needed 3-2 win at L.A. Galaxy
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Minnesota United manager Adrian Heath called his team “fragile” after a 3-2 win over L.A. Galaxy on Wednesday, underscoring just how much the Loons needed that victory.
The Loons had slumped to their worst eight-game stretch across their MLS era — 1-6-1, 4 points — scoring a paltry six goals and giving up one-goal leads in its last two defeats. After a 2-1 loss to Inter Miami on Saturday, they held a team meeting to reinforce the mentality they want to imprint on games.
MNUFC broke loose for three goals — two from star Emanuel Reynoso — and one from strong team build-up and an empathic finish by Franco Fragapane. It was Fragapane’s first goal in nearly 900 MLS minutes this season, and it was Minnesota’s first three-goal game since April 23, which came right before the eight-game lull set in.
“It was really important for our group, in the sense of, we just needed to find a way to win a game,” Trapp said. “Even if it’s ugly, if it’s chaotic a bit, to get over the line was important.”
One possible downside to a quality road win against a Western Conference foe was negated when manager Adrian Heath shared postgame Kervin Arriaga’s early injury was to his ankle, not Achilles tendon, as Heath had first feared when the Honduran was stretchered off the field.
Minnesota benefited when Galaxy winger Kevin Cabral, whom MNUFC had coveted in the transfer market, was sent off for a red card after making contact with Loons goalkeeper Dayne St. Clair’s head in the 26th minute. L.A. coach Greg Vanney was livid at the decision from referee Ted Unkle. Fragapane and Reynoso’s second goal came after L.A. went down to 10 men.
But the Loons didn’t help themselves when captain Wil Trapp clipped Efrain Alvarez in the box and Mark Delgado scored on a penalty kick in the 60th minute. Then MNUFC allowed a 93rd-minute goal from Dejan Joveljic. The late shakiness reminded of MNUFC’s squandered second-half leads against Miami and New England in the previous 10 days.
“The fact of the matter is we’re a little bit fragile at the minute,” Heath said. “When it goes to 3-1, then we start to play safe and then we start to play square and backwards to not turn the ball over. Then you start inviting pressure onto you.”
Chaos spread after the final whistle, too. In the game’s final moments, Douglas Costa elbowed Joseph Rosales in the back of the head. Once the game ended, Rosales retaliated with a shove to Costa’s chest. Costa was given red for violent conduct. Rosales was given two yellow cards and will be suspended for Sunday’s home game against Real Salt Lake.
In the end, the Loons continued recent success at Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson, Calif., where they produced a wild 3-3 draw on Decision Day a year ago and earned a spot in the MLS Cup Playoffs. Wednesday’s result helps Minnesota make up ground in the Western Conference standings, where the seventh and final playoff spot is only two points away.
BRIEFLY
Loons striker Luis Amarilla exited in the 37th minute with an injury, but it doesn’t sound serious, per Heath. … Minnesota improved to 6-8-3 and sit in 10th place going into the weekend, while L.A. fell to 7-6-3 and are sixth. … Loons had shouts for their own PK when it appeared former Loon midfielder Raheem Edwards’ left arm/hand made contact with the ball, but Unkle and crew did not give it to United. … MNUFC play-by-play commentator Callum Williams traveled to California for Wednesday’s game but stayed back in his hotel room due to “medical issues,” the club said pregame. MNUFC Chief Soccer Officer Manny Lagos stepped into the booth alongside regular color commentator Kyndra de St. Aubin. … Former Loons striker Mason Toye, who had played 12 minutes this season, scored twice to lead Montreal in a 2-1 win against Seattle. Fellow former MNUFC player Kei Kamara assisted on both goals.
