Punchless: Minnesota United goes up a man, fails to score yet again

Sporting Kansas City midfielder Roger Espinoza (15) argues with Minnesota United forward Patrick Weah (29) during the second half at Allianz Field. Mandatory Credit: Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports
Sporting Kansas City midfielder Roger Espinoza (15) argues with Minnesota United forward Patrick Weah (29) during the second half at Allianz Field. Mandatory Credit: Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports /
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More of the same from Minnesota United

For a second straight game, Minnesota United was up a man for the majority of the match. And for a second straight game, Minnesota United settled for a disappointing draw.

This time, it was a home draw against a tough and organized Sporting Kansas City after midfielder Remi Walter earned a red card in the 21st minute. Minnesota United has cooled down over the past week after being the hottest team in MLS the previous two months.

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As would be expected being a man up, Minnesota controlled the match. They held 60.6 percent possession as well as a clear advantage in shots (24:11), passes (491:279), corner kicks (9:4) and crosses (17:8). But they produced just a 7:5 advantage in shots on goal and of course, no goal.

It has been a difficult stretch for Minnesota United, who lost at home to the LA Galaxy on Saturday despite controlling that match. Then they went up a man in San Jose to settle for a 1-1 draw. Now they have another scoreless draw after going up a man midway through the first half.

“Well, I look at the week and Galaxy, San Jose and this game… should be sitting on maybe seven points if you look at it logically, opportunities we’ve had. Chances compared with the opposition. Possession we’ve had. Crosses. Corners. Every stat you want to think of, we’ve been miles ahead of everybody in all the games,” Minnesota United head coach Adrian Heath said after the match.

“So, to only get two points is very disappointing and, it’s not like we haven’t had opportunities again to win the game. Goals change games. I say it every week. And had we scored first half – a couple of opportunities – it changes the course of the game, the way that they defend and the way that they play. But, all ifs and buts. The bottom line is we got two points out of nine, and we should have got minimum six maybe, seven. So, there you go.”

Minnesota United has just one goal in their last three games.