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Minnesota United FC took on the New England Revolution in a Saturday afternoon matinee. The Loons, coming off an impressive draw on the road the previous week against Colorado Well the impression being made in Foxboro was that the Colorado match was a fluke.
First Half
New England started off the match fast and furious. Just four minutes Chris Tierney played a cross to Juan Agudelo who headed it into the back of the net.
Agudelo puts #NERevs up 1-0 #MNUFC #NEvMIN Another early goal given up by the Loons pic.twitter.com/eAXQp7jLfp
— E Pluribus Loonum (@EPluribusLoonum) March 25, 2017
Ten minutes later the Loons attack started to show some life as Collen Warner snuck in a shot near the left post to even the match at 1-1.
Wicked curve on that one, @collenwarner threads the needle #MNUFC 1-1 #NERevs #NEvMIN pic.twitter.com/WEYR4qMEKY
— E Pluribus Loonum (@EPluribusLoonum) March 25, 2017
In the 21st minute, Lee Nguyen put a cross inside the box to Kai Kamara, who finished it off to put New England back up 2-1.
Fagundez with an unbelievable pass leading to Kamara's goal #NERevs 2-1 #MNUFC #NEvMIN @TheBentMusket pic.twitter.com/5wT6d9hMgM
— E Pluribus Loonum (@EPluribusLoonum) March 25, 2017
Nine minutes later, a poor challenge and foul in the box by Demidov led to a PK that Nguyen easily scored and put New England up 3-1.
Here's how they earned the penalty
— E Pluribus Loonum (@EPluribusLoonum) March 25, 2017
"Agudelo made no intention to get around Demidov" - @jamiewatson77 #MNUFC #NEvMIN #NERevs pic.twitter.com/lUnWckL655
Nguyen PK puts #NERevs up 3-1 #MNUFC #NEvMIN @TheBentMusket pic.twitter.com/B4XWH1UfcN
— E Pluribus Loonum (@EPluribusLoonum) March 25, 2017
In the 41st minute, Agudelo tallied his second goal past four defenders and Shuttleworth near the inside post.
Agudelo puts #NERevs up 4-1 #MNUFC #NEvMIN @TheBentMusket pic.twitter.com/L3z0WS35bo
— E Pluribus Loonum (@EPluribusLoonum) March 25, 2017
Halftime would come with New England up 4-1.
Halftime Thoughts
To draw an ultra-negative view of the first half would be extremely unfair. The Loons are on their third different starting XI in three weeks. Adding to that, Minnesota is also missing four players to National Team duty and Justin Davis to a red card he received in the match at Colorado.
At the same time, positivity is very hard to come by. The defense and back line are still looking just as poor as the first two weeks. The scoreline also shows a very unfortunate lack of depth that Minnesota United has and very well could be a problem going forward.
Second Half
Minnesota United started the second half looking like a new team and in the 49th minute the Loons were awarded a free kick and Brent Kallman would find the net and make it 4-2 off a rebound.
HAVE IT YOUR WAY, @BMKhaveiturway! #MNUFC 2-4 #NERevs #NEvMIN pic.twitter.com/RAlhIVivWy
— E Pluribus Loonum (@EPluribusLoonum) March 25, 2017
In the 53rd minute a poorly called foul resulted in Chris Tierney being awarded a PK, which he promptly made to put the match up to 5-2 Revolution. The Loons had switched to a 3-5-2 in the second half. After the penalty call Minnesota’s settled defensively and had some good chances but just was not able to come out with a win and fell 5-2 to New England.
Fast Facts
Kevin Venegas - played with the team in NASL from 2012-2016, making 109 appearances for the team, gets his first MLS start today at right back.
Ibson - Starting today after playing 45 minutes against Colorado. In two seasons for the team in NASL, he had 49 appearances.
Minnesota United has now given up 18 goals in 4 matches while scoring only 6 for an average of a 3 goal loss per match.