It was a long night at Allianz Field, as Orlando City defeated Minnesota United by a score of 2-1, despite a spirited showing from the home side. This marked the second consecutive loss for the Loons, who must now watch the Lions take all three points and the brief Minnesota sunshine back to the state it came from.
A slow start to the game lacked any real excitement, save for a Bongi chance that went wide of the mark. For the opening 15 minutes, both squads opted to settle in and feel one another out before turning up the heat. The Loons dominated the ball early, though they failed to make use of their possession.
Following the first quarter of an hour, the Black and Blue woke up, with Sang Bin Jeong looking lively and dangerous in his first start for the club. With his dynamic presence in the attacking midfield role, MNUFC’s attack gained a sharper edge that had been previously absent this season. Fluid passing and a general connectedness put the Loons on the front foot for the next 20 minutes.
In the defensive third, Michael Boxall and company were solid, stopping a relatively unimaginative Orlando attack at every turn. The home team remained compact and organized, plugging virtually every hole until about the 35th minute.
While Orlando found their feet in the final ten minutes of the half, it was the Loons who had the best chance before the whistle. Robin Lod danced past his defender in the 41st minute, cutting to the endline and finding the feet of Sang Bin in the middle of the box. The resulting shot was saved, but the attack showed that Orlando could be broken down.
Spurred on by their late first-half chance, the Loons kept the energy coming in the next 45. The breakthrough finally came in the 58th minute, when Robin Lod’s inch-perfect through ball released Hassani Dotson into space on the edge of the box. Dotson’s cross was similarly surgical, falling perfectly in front of Bongi’s run for the easy go-ahead finish.
Though the Loons looked to be in control, a momentary lapse in shape saw Ivan Angulo’s emphatic finish draw the visitor’s level in the 66th. MNUFC stayed calm after conceding, launching counter after counter as they fought for their first home win of 2023.
Unfortunately, Wonderwall just wasn’t meant to be played tonight. With just two minutes left in regulation, Orlando forward Duncan McGuire scored what proved to be the match-winner after a chaotic passage of play in the box pulled the Loons’ defense out of position.
Though the result didn’t go their way, Minnesota United appeared to be in control for most of the night. Orlando only managed two shots on goal, capitalizing on brief breakdowns in an otherwise strong defense. For Minnesota, it was less about what went wrong, and more about what didn’t go right. Passes were slightly off, shots narrowly missed and good play simply ended in disappointment.
The Loons will be heading to Seattle next weekend to take on the Sounders on April 22 at Lumen Field. The boys will be hoping to rediscover the form they started the season with and end the losing skid they now find themselves on.
UP NEXT
Seattle Sounders vs. Minnesota United FC
Lumen Field | Seattle, Washington
04.22.22 | MLS Game 8
9:30 pm CT (Watch free on AppleTV’s MLS Season Pass)
