Notebook: Defensive woes doom Loons in Texas

Last night Minnesota United fell 3-0 to Houston Dynamo, bringing their losing streak in MLS regular season play up to three straight losses and four straight including the MLS Is Back Tournament loss to Orlando City SC. And Heath made it clear he was not happy in the presser after the match.

“I thought they were better than us in both boxes. I don’t think there was a lot in the general game. 1-nil at halftime. I felt if we could keep it tight, there would be something in the game for us. But, you know, as I said after, we’ve conceded eight goals in the last three games, and, I’m trying to think of one goal where you hold your hand up and you go, that’s great play, you know, we shouldn’t do anything about that. I’ll have to see the goals again, obviously, because I haven’t had a chance to see them. But, they certainly haven’t worked hard enough, when people are putting the ball in, at 7, 8-yards out, and we’ve not got one defender in the picture, and there’s obviously something wrong. I’m dissapointed in the result. And, we have to get back to the drawing board. Because, if we concede eight goals, we’re not going to win too many games. So, that was the disappointment.”

During the match the Loons looked especially poor defending their own box along with the poor finishing on the attack. Heath again was fairly poignant when talking about it. But he did say they need to get back to winning.

“As I said, I don’t think we defended well. We weren’t good in both boxes. I’m trying to think of their keeper making a big save. I can’t really think of that. And, our keeper has had to make too many saves, and, been under too much pressure at times. And, that’s not a good combination, and I’m aware of that, and we have to sort it out. But, we haven’t got a lot of time in-between games at this moment in time. Six games in 24 days. One game at home in eight, which, is not ideal. But, we have to get back to winning ways, because, the Disney tournament seems an often long while away.”

Marlon Hairston, who was the only player interviews post match, brought it down to a lot of individual mistakes. Not only tonight but also in MNUFC’s last few matches.

“A lot of the goals we have given up have been individual mistakes that have led to the opponent’s goals. Teams haven’t necessarily broken us down by great play, its been our mistakes that have led to their goals and ultimately to us losing games. Right now, we are in the same situation as a lot of teams; the schedule, where we are playing so many games back to back. That’s a good thing though, we have another game in a few days and we will just try to get ready for the next game and try to right our wrongs.”

Heath, When asked about his post match talk with the team he stated it was fairly similar to what he said post match to the press.

“No. I basically have gone over what I just said to you guys. We concede eight goals every three games, we aren’t winning many. Trust me. You’ve been following football long enough and I’ve been in it a long time, trust me, you concede eight goals in three games, you ain’t winning too any of them.”

Next up is the teams second home match of the season. This time against Real Salt Lake, whom MNUFC has drawn 0-0 with once this season. And while the past four matches have been disappointing in more ways than one Heath and Co are looking to win and get back on track.

“Well, we have to because that’s our job. Our job is to get the players prepared. And, obviously, at this minute, it doesn’t look like we are preparing properly enough. So, we’ll have to do something different and we’ll see what we can do. I’m always optimistic at home, that we can get after teams and make it difficult for teams. And, that’s what we’re going to have to try and do in the next couple of games.”