A pleasant spring day was nearly spoiled for 90 minutes for Minnesota United FC fans as the Loons struggled to put together a coherent game plan, and lost 3-1 away to Seattle Sounders. A goal for Christian Ramirez brought the Loons to down by one, but two first half goals by Gustav Svensson and Will Bruin and a Jordy Delem goal late in second half stoppage time were too much for the visitors.

Lineup

Minnesota United FC remained in their 4-2-3-1, but with a couple of changes. Last season’s primary keeper Bobby Shuttleworth started in goal, while Abu Danladi started in place of Christian Ramirez. Rookie Carter Manley started at right full back. Newcomer designated player Darwin Quintero started at the number 10.

Jérôme Thiesson started opposite Manley at left full back, with Michael Boxall and Francisco Calvo sandwiched between them as the center backs. In front of the center backs, Ibson and Rasmus Schüller patrolled the center of the field.

On the attack with Danladi and Quintero were Ethan Finlay on the right and Miguel Ibarra on the left.

For the Sounders, they had three of their starters back. Osvaldo Alonso returned from injury last week, and made his first start of 2018. Kelvin Leerdam and Clint Dempsey both returned from their red card match bans, although Dempsey started on the bench.

First half

Minnesota struggled to start the game, giving up possession and allowing Seattle to have quality looks on goal.

Seattle scored first, with a beautiful long range strike from Svensson.

A Swedish screamer. ???????????? #SEAvMIN pic.twitter.com/fwT2QzpjbP

— Major League Soccer (@MLS) April 22, 2018

Minutes later, Seattle doubled their lead after some defensive miscommunication on a cross left Will Bruin open to slot in the Sounders’ second goal.

Bruin goal count this season:
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2-0 | #SEAvMIN pic.twitter.com/4gnna3PEES

— Seattle Sounders FC (@SoundersFC) April 22, 2018

The rest of the half remained solidly in favor of the home side, and Minnesota had to be happy when the whistle for half time blew.

Second half

Minnesota looked to make a comeback in the second half, with both Danladi and Finlay coming out early in the second half with apparent injuries and Sam Nicholson and Ramirez coming on for the visitors.

Ramirez quickly helped to create spacing and movement which gave Minnesota some of their best looks on goal all game.

It was in the 66th minute, Ramirez finally broke his dry spell in 2018. After some great movement around the box, Quintero’s lofty pass found Ramirez, whose header found the back of the net.

They say I walk around like got an S on my chest pic.twitter.com/IE6cZ9R0Ck

— Minnesota United FC (@MNUFC) April 22, 2018

Minnesota couldn’t find the equalizer, and Jordy Delem managed to find a goal late in second half stoppage time after a bad turnover by Schüller.

Much like in other matches this season, Minnesota proved to be a second half team. It will be key for Minnesota not to find themselves down by two before the start of the second half moving forward if they want to find points, particularly on the road.

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