By the time last Saturday’s game came around, the Loons had spent a week preparing for a tough matchup between themselves and the Portland Timbers. The game was an important matchup for both clubs, with the implication that whoever won the game would finish above the other in the table.
The Loons began the match with a high press, as they performed against Seattle. Nevertheless, it took Portland only 10 minutes to find a ball to midfielder Dairon Aspirilla who sprinted down the left wing and delivered a cross into the box for forward Felipe Mora to cut inside defender Bakaye Dibassy and a header the ball in past goalkeeper Tyler Miller, putting the visitors up 1-0. Minnesota created opportunities the rest of the first half but simply couldn’t find the back of the net.
Despite the early goal, the Loons continued their battle throughout the second half. In the 74th minute, Hassani Dotson would cross a ball into the center of the box where defender Chase Gasper headered the ball to the bottom left corner of the goal, giving Minnesota the hope, they needed. Ten minutes later, the Loons sealed the win with a spectacular through ball from Emanuel Reynoso to Robin Lod who secured the victory for the Loons.
“That [perseverance] has kind of defined the second phase of our season,” said Gasper. “Obviously, we didn’t start off too hot, but that speaks to the character of this team. That happens to teams, they go through phases like that. To show that grit and character to turn things around and come back and win. But hats off to [Portland]. That was an amazing goal and an incredible cross and a great header. It's tough to stop, but I’m just so proud of our team. All the hard work and perseverance. We deserved it [the win]. It paid off in the end.”
During training this week, the Loons focused on recovering their bodies and maintaining their mental strength for their upcoming match on Wednesday at LAFC. One Loon, in particular, was looking forward to making their way to California, as goalkeeper Tyler Miller played for LAFC in 2018 and 2019, during their inaugural season.
“It’s a place I’m excited to go back to and play in front of the fans there. I’ve always had a good relationship with them, and I’m looking forward to stepping back in the Banc of California,” said Miller. “They’re a really strong team. There is a reason that Bob [Bradley] is there and what they’ve been able to achieve over the last four years. It’s a Wednesday night game, so it’s going to be a game where the crowd is maybe like 10-15 minutes late because of LA traffic, that’s how it always was. But, sure enough, in those 15 minutes, it’s going to fill up, and it’s going to be rocking. It’s always a loud and intimidating place to play, and I always enjoyed that, being on that side of things. And now I’m going back on the other side of things. It’ll be a true test for us and if we want to continue to take steps forward, we have to go to a place like LAFC, on a Wednesday, and get a result and that’s what really what it comes down to if we’re going to have a successful season.”
On Wednesday, Minnesota played a late-night match against LAFC at Banc of California Stadium. In the 41st minute, Carlos Vela would score his fifth goal of the season and give LAFC the lead before the half. Three minutes into the second half, Emanuel Reynoso found his way around Farfan, getting a shot on goal as he fell, sending it into the side netting and giving the Loons the equalizer.
“The honesty of the players. They don’t give in. We’ve got a really good bunch, and they kept going,” said Head Coach Adrian Heath. “I thought we got what we deserved this evening. Even from the first half, I thought on the counter-attack, when we broke play up, we were one pass, one quality ball away from having good opportunities. To play the way we have against a team like [LAFC], who move the ball as well as they do and to score as late as we did, shows a great level of commitment, and I was so pleased for the players because I thought that the desire to actually do the game plan and do what we asked of them was magnificent.”
After an amazing comeback, Minnesota will kick off against the Vancouver Whitecaps, also coming into the match having played LAFC. Since having played against the Whitecaps earlier this season in May, Minnesota United has become dangerous, especially in the last minutes of the match. Nonetheless, it’s going to be a difficult match where the Loons need to come out with a win.
“I’m pleased for the group, but we go again now. We’ve got to dust ourselves down, see how everybody is,” said Heath. “Vancouver have had a nice little run of late. They look as though they’ve turned the corner themselves. We know it’s not going to be easy, it never is at Salt Lake with the altitude and a team that’s coming off the back of a draw here and a win at the weekend. They’ll be very confident as well.”
