Recap: Minnesota dominates FC Dallas in Decision Day Clash

Minnesota United closed out their 2020 regular season with a Decision Day match against FC Dallas last night at home in St. Paul. For a game that could have gone either way the Loons really dominated from start to finish earning yet another clean sheet in the process along with extending their unbeaten streak to 8 matches.

The Loons made just three changes to the lineup and only one of those was a different player. Lod would shift up top to play a false 9, Molino would shift from the 10 to the left, and Reynoso would start at the Number 10/CAM spot. Kei Kamara’s absence was explained post match by Heath, with the gaffer saying:

“Kei [Kamara] tweaked his groin yesterday at the very end doing some finishing and he tweaked his groin. He didn’t want to make it worse, which I understand, he’s going away. He thinks in three or four days he’s going to be fine.”

Minnesota would dominate the match from the outset, getting multiple chances to score. However it was Kevin Molino who broke open the match with this 17th minute goal off a series of passes from Lod to Reynoso to Molino.

The Loons wouldn’t be able to score again in the first half but would take their 1-0 lead into the break. And while normally we’re used to seeing the opponent control the match, that was statistically not the case last night. MNUFC would hold 60% possession, more shots, and more tackles than the Toros.

In the second half Minnesota would continue to show their dominance as in the 47th minute, Reynoso would score his first ever goal as a Loon to make the match 2-0. When asked about the how the goal made him feel after the match Reynoso said:

“Happy, I had been looking for it for a while and content because it helped us win. I’ll go home very happy with that goal. Also, the pass from [Robin] Lod was spectacular and I’m very grateful to him for that pass he gave me.”

The Loons would strike once again with Kevin Molino sending in a 79th minute laser in to the net. And for the third time on the night Robin Lod was in on the assist giving him a “gentleman’s hat trick” while Molino took a brace.

Following the brace Molino, Heath would bring on Foster Langsdorf, who joined the club from the now folded Reno 1868, to replace Molino in the 80th minute. In the 85th minute a trio of subs were brought on as Noah Billingsley, James Musa, and Chase Gasper were brought on to replace Romain Métanire, Marlon Hairston, and Emanuel Reynoso.

Adrian Heath did use all five subs last night, the first of the five was actually brought on in the 75th minute when Hassani Dotson replaced Ethan Finlay.