In this week’s recap of Minnesotans playing professionally: Disappointing results ruin starts for our MLS trio, a coaching change could affect Tyler David’s role, and Mukwelle Akale sees first team minutes.
Calum Mallace’s return to the starting line-up for the Montreal Impact was one to forget. After taking an early lead, the Impact allowed two first half goals and a third right after half time to lose 3-1 to the New York Red Bulls. Mallace played the full game and started on the right side of Montreal’s diamond midfield. Playing out of position did not help his performance, but Mallace did finish with two interceptions and four recoveries. Mallace was at least partially at fault on New York’s third goal when he failed to keep up with Mike Grella in the build-up and also missed a chance to block the assisting pass.
A 4-0 drubbing by the Philadelphia Union extended the New England Revolution’s losing streak to three games. Teal Bunbury played the full 90 minutes on the right flank, but was unable to replicate his scoring touch from last week. Instead, Bunbury was one of two Revolution players that stopped to argue with the assistant referee about the ball going out of bounds while Fabinho continued to play and found C.J. Sapong for the Union’s first goal. Bunbury was also guilty of a little bit of ball watching on the corner kick that resulted in Philadelphia’s third goal.
Eric Miller helped secure the only points for our Minnesota pros in the Colorado Rapids’ 1-1 draw with the LA Galaxy. The Rapids took the lead in the 51st minute, but found themselves level 11 minutes later. In his second consecutive start at right back, Miller tallied three clearances from inside Colorado’s box and two recoveries. On offense he pushed high up the field, completing 20 of 29 passes, but continues to fall short on his crossing.
Saint Louis FC was on the wrong side of a 4-3 scoreline against Sacramento Republic FC. Tyler David started the game in the center of the midfield, but with the scoreline 3-1 in favor of Sacramento at halftime, David was taken out of the game to allow for more offensive options. The day after the loss, Saint Louis fired Head Coach Dale Schilly and named Assistant Coach Tim Leonard as interim head coach for the rest of the season. Hopefully, this won’t affect David’s playing time for the remaining seven games of the regular season as Saint Louis fight to make it into the playoffs, but it could lead to an interesting off-season.
Mukwelle Akale was subbed on in the 61st minute for Villarreal’s first team in a 3-2 preseason loss to CD Leganés.
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