How can Minnesota United turn things around?

Minnesota lost in embarrassing fashion yet again in their home opener yesterday, so how can the Loons turn things around and avoid an all-time worst season?

Minnesota United were again left searching for answers after another deflating loss, this time, a 5-1 defeat at the hands of fellow expansion side Atlanta United. The result has left many wondering if perhaps the preseason predictions were right, and Minnesota really is bound to be one of the worst teams in MLS history. So how can Minnesota prevent this from happening, and turn things around? I’ve got some ideas.

Full Backs

First of all, Minnesota needs to figure out their two starting full backs, and it would probably help if one of them was not named Jermaine Taylor. While Minnesota isn’t loaded with full back options by any means, the Jamaican international has been dreadful in his two appearances thus far. He was the worst player on the pitch in Portland, and wasn’t much better yesterday against Atlanta.

Playing new arrival Jèrôme Thiesson at Right back, while playing Justin Davis at Left back is probably their best option. Thiesson was OK, but not great yesterday, but had just landed in Minnesota on Wednesday, and should improve as he gets more time with the team.

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Davis meanwhile, did fairly well against Portland, with the exception of one dangerous header back to the keeper, which led to a scoring chance for Portland. He didn’t see the field yesterday however, as Taylor was moved from right to left to take Davis’ place. Thiesson and Davis are Minnesota’s best options at full back, and a consistent back line is never a bad thing.

The Midfield

Another thing that was pretty infuriating yesterday was Adrian Heath’s decision to play 3 holding midfielders at one time. That included Rasmus Schüller who was played out on the left, a position that Miguel Ibarra or Bashkim Kadrii easily could have filled. One should only play two holding mids at one time, and Warner and Schüller behind Venegas as the #10.

However, the decision to play 3 holding mids at once, with one of them playing out on the left was certainly a head scratcher, and again resulted in a lot of stagnant offense, as the midfield couldn’t get much going moving forward. I’m not sure if Heath was going for the draw, or what the rationale was behind this decision, but this mistake should not be repeated.

The DP

If Minnesota wants to turn things around this season, the signing of a Designated Player during the summer window is critical. Minnesota is the only MLS club without a DP on their roster, and getting one at a position of need could go a long way towards helping the team.

A left back immediately comes to mind, as perhaps Adrian Heath either doesn’t trust Justin Davis to play left back, or he trusts Jermaine Taylor too much. A DP left back would make sense, while likely giving the Loons a solid player at their weakest position.

The other position/role that should be considered is a true midfield destroyer. It would help immensely if Minnesota had an enforcer in front of the back line to take a bit of pressure off the centerbacks. A player who could consistently win back possession is something that they don’t currently have on their roster, and a summer signing of one could make them a completely different team. Minnesota doesn’t have the talent pool at the moment to exist without a DP level player.

Should this happen, it would still be possible to play Venegas as a #10, while then playing Mohamed Saied or Rasmus Schüller behind Venegas and in front of this hypothetical enforcer. Schüller, Saied, and Collen Warner could then rotate as the #8, with Warner also filling in for the hypothetical enforcer when needed.

Next: Minnesota vs Atlanta: 3 things to watch for

Those are my thoughts on how Minnesota can turn things around this season, but what are yours? Let me know down in the comments below!

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