It’s been the ultimate summer of soccer here in the States, but one thing’s been missing from our collective MLS-loving heart ever since May 23: our beloved Loons. After a long break and a Matchday 16 bye week, the boys launched back into action tonight, fighting for a result against Sporting Kansas City but ultimately falling to a clinical counter from Raphaël Wicky’s side.

Kansas City opened the scoring in the 28th minute when Capita Capemba set star scorer Dejan Joveljić up for a strike. Now in the lead, Kansas City started spending more time in Minnesota’s defensive third, but had a hard time outpacing Owen Gene and Anthony Markanich. Kansas City keeper Stefan Cleveland tallied up saves as Minnesota’s attacking unit of Joaquín Pereyra, Tomás Chancalay, and Kelvin Yeboah engineered multiple early chances.

Capita was consistently a force in transition, though Gene managed to shut down his electric 44th-minute run and turn the tide enough for Pereyra to log a shot in the 45th-minute. The attempt was once again saved by Cleveland, but the Loons were showing signs of life.

Throughout the first half, Minnesota’s approach felt similar to before the break, logging five shots but struggling to convert even on their favored set piece chances. Despite maintaining 58% possession and dominating the midfield, a handful of defensive mistakes allowed Kansas City to slip through the cracks and create space to capitalize on Capita’s speed and Joveljić’s finishing ability.

Just before the half, SKC defender Jake Davis collided with Michael Boxall and Gene just outside the box, setting up a free kick in a dangerous spot just before the half. Joveljić curved the ball around the wall with his usual finesse, but Loons keeper Drake Callender knocked it away with a crucial save to avoid a two-goal deficit before the whistle. 

In the 55th minute, strong combination play from Calvin Harris and Davis allowed Manu García to double the home team’s lead. Callender saved a dangerous shot from Lasse Berg Johnson just minutes later, and a chaotic play in the box had the Loons on the edge of their metaphorical seats, but the defense prevailed. 

Building on the shifting momentum, Chancalay put in a pair of attempts in the 68th and 69th minutes, including a brilliant shot that was saved with a critical header by Davis. Mamadou Dieng and Bongokuhle Hlongwane subbed on for Yeboah and Duncan with 25 minutes left in the half, a move that quickly paid dividends when Hlongwane drew a foul just outside the penalty area to set up a Pereyra free kick. Pereyra curved it into the box, where Padelford’s decisive header (and his first goal of the season) put the Loons on the board.

Having paid his dues, Padelford made way for Diaz with 15 minutes left in the game, and Mauricio González replaced Gene. A handful of subs for Sporting Kansas City saw the home side try to shift the momentum back their way, but the Black and Blue held their own for the remainder of the game despite the one-goal deficit, with Markanich and Dieng both aiming for equalizers in the final moments but to no avail.

Prior to the break, the Loons were winless in four and had won four out of the past five regular-season road matches. The chance to set a new tone and kick off a strong run of form slipped through the Loons’ fingers tonight, but moments of success late in the game were promising bright spots as the squad finds their rhythm after so long away from the pitch. Cameron Knowles’ side will have another chance to turn things around this Saturday, July 25, as they make their big return to Allianz Field against Vancouver.