In this week’s recap of Minnesotans playing professionally: David returns to the starting XI for Saint Louis, Bunbury misses out on a win over Miller and Boston’s struggles return.
After failing to get on the field last week, Tyler David started in the center of the midfield for Saint Louis FC in a 1-1 tie with Oklahoma Energy FC. In the 19th minute David nearly scored his first goal for STLFC when he attempted to head a low cross on goal, but the keeper touched the ball out into the center of the box where Schillo Tshuma buried the rebound to give Saint Louis the lead. As the first half continued, the game started to get chippy and David was shown a yellow after some pushing and shoving in the 32nd minute. David was subbed off in the 63rd minute after Oklahoma had leveled the scoreline six minutes earlier.
On Monday, David was in the starting eleven again against FC Cincinnati. Cincinnati kept David and St. Louis on their heels, but failed to find the back of the net during the first half. The pressure continued into the second half when David made way for Kentaro Takada. A flurry of attacking play came in the final minutes of the game that concluded with Cincinnati earning and converting a PK in the 2nd minute of stoppage time to end the game 2-1 in their favor.
The Colorado Rapids and the New England Revolution faced off for the only time this season on Saturday, but Eric Miller was the only Minnesotan to take the field as his side lost 2-0. Teal Bunbury was left off the game day roster while Cody Cropper made his first appearance as a substitute for his new team. Miller went the full 90 but had another mixed performance. Miller was caught on the wrong side of Juan Agudelo on the Revs’ first goal, but had one of his better days passing and crossing. Miller also finished with three clearances, three interceptions, two tackles, and one recovery.
The Boston Breakers’ run of good form came to an end this past week with two straight losses. The first was a 3-1 defeat by the Houston Dash on Wednesday. Kassey Kallman started in the center of the defense. A bad giveaway early in the game gave Houston the lead. The Dash continued to press and in the 33rd minute Kealia Ohai found herself charging at Boston’s goal with Kallman running with her. Kallman was unable to close down the space and prevent Ohai from finding the far post for her second goal of the game. After Carli Lloyd added a third from distance for the Dash, the Breakers were able to prevent the shutout with a goal of their own, but it was a small consolation.
On Sunday Boston traveled to take on Portland Thorns FC and the Breakers continued the fall back into their early season form with a 5-1 loss. Despite starting off well, Boston conceded an early goal and in the 40th minute were down another after Kallman was called for a handball in the box when she was struck in the arm by a cross from Lindsey Horan. It could have been argued that Kallman was too close to avoid the contact, but after the whistle Kallman quietly walked to the top of the box to take her position. The Thorns continued to dominate play, but the Breakers were once again able to prevent the shutout with a goal by Julie King in the 83rd minute, but Portland got the last word with their final goal coming in the 2nd minute of stoppage time.
Cat Parkhill was on the bench in FC Kansas City’s 2-1 win over Sky Blue FC
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