Missed Finishing Costs Loons on Pride Night

An under-pressure Adrian Heath drastically changed up his starting lineup. The comfortable rut of 4-2-3-1 was discarded for the rather adventurous route: a 3-5-2. Rookie Wyatt Omsberg received his second start of the year and joined Brent Kallman and captain Michael Boxall as the centerbacks, while Tyrone Mears and Alexi Gómez lined up as wingbacks. Darwin Quintero and Christian Ramirez made up the front two. Midfielder Collin Martin, who came out as gay earlier in the day, did not start but was named a substitute.

The most memorable moment of the first half was its end—two teams not known for their intensity scarcely did battle in 90+ degree heat. Minnesota had chances off of set pieces, but true to character failed to take advantage of them.

The Loons had their fair share of chances in the second half as Darwin Quintero created chances right and left, though none were finished by the myriad of open attackers. In complete contrast to the run of play, it was FC Dallas who were the first on the board.

Heath used his three substitutions on Mason Toye (for Omsberg), Carter Manley (for Mears), and Frantz Pangop (for Rasmus Schuller), none of which were spent on Collin Martin.

The United attack re-ignited in the closing minutes as fans rallied behind several near-misses and fantastic Jesse Gonzalez saves. A goal may have seemed imminent but the Loons’ attack was rather impotent as the team failed to score in the remaining minutes.