Minnesota United rode its luck Sunday and was able to pull out a 2-1 win over Nashville SC at GEODIS Park.
The Loons dealt with a steady stream of pressure, but made the most of their few opportunities to take all three points on the road.
ADVERTISEMENT
Minnesota (10-9-5, 35 points) bounced back from a 4-3 loss to Colorado last week and didn鈥檛 let hosting the MLS All-Star Game be a distraction.
Nashville (8-8-9, 33 points) suffered consecutive home losses for the first time in MLS.
Goalkeeper Dayne St. Clair, the MVP of the MLS All-Star Game on Wednesday, made seven saves to keep Minnesota alive.
Loons right back Alan Benitez was struggling defensively Sunday, but earned some redemption with the winning goal in the 75th minute. A week after his first MLS assist, the Paraguayan notched his first league goal.
Franco Fragapane had put MNUFC up 1-0 with a left-footed finish in the 27th minute. The Loons pounced on a poor pass from MLS All-Star Walker Zimmerman, with Kervin Arriaga winning the header and starting the counter attack. The Loons鈥� quick action had Emanuel Reynoso providing the assist to his fellow Argentine.
Fragapane has five goals and two assists over the last nine games since June 29. His presence on the scoresheet coincides with the Loons鈥� hot stretch.
The Loons were fortunate to have the lead as Nashville controlled the game. It outshot MNUFC 21-10, but Minnesota blocked six shots and Nashville also had seven corners to Minnesota鈥檚 one.
ADVERTISEMENT
Minnesota manager Adrian Heath brought on Joseph Rosales in the 73rd minute and switch the shape to a 4-3-3. Rosales鈥� cross to Benitez came two minutes later.
Nashville earned an equalizer with a constant peppering of Loons defense in the second half. MLS All-Star Hany Mukhtar got space on the back post of a recycled free kick and scored 1-1 in the 61st minute. Mukhtar is in the top five in the league with 15 goals.
New midfielder Jonathan Gonzalez made his MLS debut, subbing in for Reynoso in the 84th minute. It appeared Reynoso, who tweaked his ankle in the All-Star Game, had an issue at the end of his shift.
Nashville was without Teal Bunbury, a Prior Lake native, who picked up an injury in training this week. He had scored in the previous four games. Maple Grove native Luke Haakenson subbed into the game in the second half for Nashville.
ADVERTISEMENT
______________________________________________________
This story was written by one of our partner news agencies. Forum Communications Company uses content from agencies such as Reuters, Kaiser Health News, Tribune News Service and others to provide a wider range of news to our readers. Learn more about the news services FCC uses here.
The Trust Project
