A lot has been written about the 2-1 loss Minnesota United FC suffered in its first-ever playoff match.
In short: the fortress that Allianz became during home matches did little on a night where United couldn’t finish. Striker Ángelo Rodríguez probably should have had two goals before halftime, and new signing Robin Lod — who should not be criticized as much as he has been for skying a shot over the crossbarr when within six yards of the goal due to having to reach back for the ball — failed to have much of an impact this season outside of his goal in the Open Cup final.
Fans didn’t get to see Miguel Ibarra take to the field, though they did get to give him a signed banner of a loon fused with the Batman bat signal and plenty of hugs after the final whistle. It looks as though the fan favorite — who I used to watch back in the Blaine and Minnesota Stars days, long before any of this was thought possible — is on his way out.
While the match was a bummer for home fans, it’s still a success for the Loons to have made a playoff game and host it at home. Sure, they could have gone second in the table, but this year’s season was a vast improvement over the past two. A number of revelations were made, and a defensive backline constructed that looks to be quite solid for at least a couple more seasons.
But it was bittersweet in St. Paul.
The Los Angeles Galaxy shushed United.
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