Minnesota United: 3 key takeaways vs. Toronto

May 13, 2017; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto FC midfielder Benoit Cheyrou (8) moves the ball past a challenge from Minnesota United defender Jerome Thiessen (3) in the first half at BMO Field. Mandatory Credit: Dan Hamilton-USA TODAY Sports /

Minnesota United played well against Toronto FC, but came up short, despite equalizing on two separate occasions. A good effort, but a loss nonetheless.

Here are 3 key takeaways from Minnesota United’s 3-2 loss in Toronto.

Wasted chances

More from MLS Multiplex

Minnesota were certainty not afraid to attack Toronto throughout the match. They were rewarded with plenty of chances to get another goal, but nothing came of the chances, and Minnesota came up short.

The most glaring of missed chances however, came in the 86th minute when substitute Johan Venegas was left unmarked in the box, and had a golden opportunity to put away a Jèrôme Thiesson cross, but he put it well wide of the mark. Minnesota never really threatened after that, and Venegas knew he’d squandered a golden opportunity.

Minnesota desperately needs a DP #10

Despite the playmaking efforts of Kevin Molino on the wing, the only playmaking presence that Minnesota really has in the middle is Ibson, who is past his best at this point. Ibson also has a tendency to give the ball away at the worst possible times, and it has nearly cost Minnesota a couple of times this season.

Minnesota should use a DP spot on a #10 this summer, someone who can really generate chances in the middle, rather than having to rely on a 33 year-old Ibson. If they can get a guy who can maintain possession, as well as generate chances in the center, it could seriously push Minnesota into playoff caliber territory.

The offense hasn’t exactly been Minnesota’s problem, but they don’t really have a guy who can consistently create offense, either. Kevin Molino was that guy on Saturday, but he’s often focused on, and taken out of matches by the opposition. Miguel Ibarra was good against SKC, but was nonexistent against Toronto, and has been inconsistent at best.

Next: Minnesota United: 3 things to watch for vs Toronto

Toronto’s physicality

Though Minnesota’s defense was decent positionally throughout the day, they often found themselves outmatched by the size, strength, and physicality of Jozy Altidore and Tosaint Ricketts, and in the end, it’s what lost them the match

It was in the 77th minute of the then 2-2 match, when US international Jozy Altidore muscled a defender off of himself and got to the end line, sending in a perfect cross to Ricketts, who won the aerial battle and got his head to the cross, beating Bobby Shuttleworth and scoring the eventual winner, which made it 3-2.

Though Minnesota won’t quite have to face that level of size and physicality from a team’s attackers, bigger, stronger attackers could still give Minnesota’s back line trouble throughout the season.

Home/Minnesota United