Minnesota United is making a concerning habit of dropping points
The good news for Minnesota United is that they extended their unbeaten run to seven games with a 2-2 home draw to the San Jose Earthquakes this past Saturday afternoon.
The not so good news? A slow start to the game and lapses in the final 15 minutes doomed Minnesota United to a home draw when three points were there for the taking. It was a rough afternoon all around for Minnesota United.
Minnesota United now has four wins and three draws from their last seven matches, a comfortable flipping of the script after four losses to start the season. But given their talent across the board, Minnesota United’s season could easily see them near the top of the table if they consistently started matches better.
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Instead, as Saturday night proved against the San Jose Earthquakes, this team simply isn’t controlling matches like they should. The end result is a lot of dropped points from results that could haunt this side come the fall.
“I would say it’s a lesson learned. The one thing I do know, and I’ve known this over a long period and a long career,” Minnesota United head coach Adrian Heath told reporters after the match.
“If you start slow and don’t respect the opposition and don’t do the things that you’re good at, and then you have to chase the game, it becomes a very long evening. That’s what tonight has been.”
With the draw, Minnesota United remains in fifth place in the Western Conference with a 4-4-3 record (15 points). They are currently in a playoff spot and entered Sunday 10 points off league leading Seattle Sounders.
A poor giveaway from Minnesota United defender Bakaye Dibassy in the 15th minute led to the game’s opening goal, putting the home side in an early hole. And while Minnesota United equalized before halftime and then took the lead in the 69th minute when Ramon Abila pounced on his own rebound after a poorly taken penalty kick, this was a match where ‘The Loons’ expected much more.
San Jose is struggling this season and while a continuation of their unbeaten streak is nice, these are the types of dropped points that can keep Minnesota United from homefield advantage come playoff time.
In the 82nd minute, Benjamin Kikanovic equalized as San Jose stole a road point.
“Well, I didn’t anticipate an 0-4 start, I’m going to be honest. But, since then, we’ve been very good. And we have to continue like that,” Heath said after the match.
“If we play on the front foot, we’re a really good team. If we drop it 10, 15 percent, then we’re no different than anybody else. And I know I’m not talking about just my team there. That’s this league.”
Follow Kristian Dyer of ‘MLS Multiplex’ on Twitter @KristianRDyer