Minnesota United’s record went to five and oh no on Saturday.
After a five-match unbeaten start to 2023, the Loons gave up multiple goals for the first time this year in a 2-1 loss to Chicago Fire at Soldier Field.
Minnesota (3-1-2) had won three straight road games, but their franchise-record-tying form on the road was ended by Chicago (2-1-3), which had three home draws to open the season.
Minnesota had been getting results while operating in narrow margins; and they came up well short Saturday.
“Our first-half performance was the worst we’ve played all season,” manager Adrian Heath said. “I thought we were second-best in every department. Individually, I think they bossed us in the first half all over the field.”
When the Loons traded for Kei Kamara in the summer of 2020, there was a gentleman’s agreement he wouldn’t play against his former team, Colorado Rapids, that season.
MNUFC could have used a similar setup Saturday, as the 38-year-old forward scored two first-half goals.
Kamara doubled the scoring total he had in 454 minutes in Minnesota in 2020. He now has six career goals against the Loons and a career 142 league-wide.
Micky Tapias had two clearances to stop earlier Chicago attacks, but Kamara’s shot took a wicked deflection off him and into the back of the net in the 24th minute. Then in the 36th minute, the 6-foot-3 Kamara beat Michael Boxall to a header and nodded it away from Dayne St. Clair.
Minnesota had not conceded a first-half goal through five matches this season. After giving up two in 45 minutes Saturday, Heath had “choice words” with players at halftime.
“He didn’t mince words,” captain Wil Trapp said. “It was a situation where we got away from what has made us successful so far this season, which is battling, winning duels, winning first and second balls. It’s competing, and I don’t think Chicago felt us at all in the first half.”
Kervin Arriaga scored on a roughly 35-yard free kick in the 57th minute. His shot went straight to goalkeeper Chris Brady, but he bungled the catch and it trickled into the net.
Kamara nearly registered a hat trick in the 72nd minute, but his shot went just wide, banging into the advertising boards.
Brady redeemed himself with two saves in the 86th minute on Hassani Dotson’s header and Bongi Hlongwane’s rebound.
New South Korean forward Sang Bin Jeong made his MLS debut in the 61st minute, replacing Luis Amarilla at the top of the Loons’ attack. His best moments were services he provided with his right foot on set pieces.
Minnesota reverted back to its 4-2-3-1 formation after having success for two matches in a 4-4-2 set-up. Robin Lod returned after missing two games for international duty and illness, and Mender Garcia dropped to the bench. With the Loons healthier than they have been all season, the other 10 players remained the same.
Briefly
The Loons will play Detroit City in the third round of the U.S. Open Cup at 6:30 p.m. April 25 at Keyworth Stadium in Hamtramck, Mich. This is MNUFC’s first matchup with Detroit City, a club one tier down in the USL Championship. Detroit beat MLS’ Columbus Crew in the national tournament, while Minnesota fell to third-tier Union Omaha at Allianz Field in the Round of 16 last year. … MNUFC will play Chicago Fire again in the new Leagues Cup at Allianz Field on July 27. Minnesota will also play Mexican club Puebla in the group stage on July 23. Puebla and Chicago will also play each other in St. Paul. … Former Loon Wyatt Omsberg also played against his former club Saturday. … MNUFC caught a break with Fire attacking midfielder Xherdan Shaqiri out. The Swiss star who had 14 combined goals and assists last season remained out with an upper right leg injury.
