Recap: Loons drop yet another in Seattle

Minnesota United FC headed out to the Pacific Northwest for the first time this season to meet with rival Seattle Sounders. MNUFC has never won a match at Lumen Field so coming into play the reigning Concacaf Champions League winners would prove to be a tall order for the Loons. After coming out with a halftime lead, the Loons looked to have the task in hand. However, in the second half that order proved to be too tall with the Loons falling 3-1 in Seattle.

After the Loons USOC win on Wednesday against Colorado, Adrian Heath shook the lineup back up for Sunday in Seattle. Heath moved back from the 3-4-3 to his standard 4-2-3-1 formation. Lod would start up with Fragapane, Reynoso, and Danladi in the attacking midfield. Assriaga and Trapp took up the defensive midfield whole Lawrence, Dibassy, Kallman, and Fisher started on the back line in front of keeper Dayne St. Clair.

After a tough 30 minutes of play, the Loons would open the matches scoring with a goal from scoring leader Robin Lod. After a cross that was blocked by Seattle, Lod picked up the loose ball immediately and finished the play with a beautiful shot from the six yard box.

Minnesota’s lead would not last long as just minutes after the half time break Seattle equaled the scoreline. After a foul inside the box by Wil Trapp the Sounders Raul Ruidíaz stepped up to the spot for a PK. DSC would get a hand on the ball but it slipped through to even the score and give Ruidíaz his first goal of the 2022 MLS season.

Just over 20 minutes later Seattle’s Cristian Roldán hammered a shot from nearly 25 yards out, giving the Sounders the lead with 17 minutes plus stoppage time remaining.

Nicolás Lodeiro would then score the dagger for Seattle at four minutes into stoppage time after the Sounders were able to cut through Minnesota’s defence.

After 11 matches the Loons have a record of 4-2-5 with 14 points and sit in 10th place just one point below the playoff line. Houston and Colorado sit in the final two playoff positions on tiebreakers with Nashville and Portland, all four of which have 15 points.

Minnesota’s next match is a midweek showing at Allianz Field in St. Paul against the LA Galaxy. Kickoff is set for 7 PM CT with the match being televised on Bally Sports North and ESPN+ and heard on SKOR North. Following the Wednesday match, MNUFC will play their second of the week on Sunday at Toyota Stadium in Frisco, TX when they head to the Lone Star State to face FC Dallas. Sunday’s game has a kickoff scheduled for 6 PM CT and will be shown on Bally Sports North, The CW Twin Cities, and ESPN+ while it can be heard on SKOR North.