NFL
By Steve Rogers
The Minnesota United FC have now run their winning ways to three in a row. After defeating the Vancouver Whitecaps 3-1 on Friday in Vancouver. This was a different game compared to their last two. In the first two games, they were able to jump out to early leads and hold off the opposition for the victory. However, in this game, both teams gave each other all they could handle—ending the first half in a scoreless tie. This time Vancouver got the game’s first goal. So the Loons had to play from behind for the first time since June 25. It didn’t take long as five minutes later, the Loons scored the equalizer on a great shot by Kemar Lawrence. His first goal as a Loon. It remained tied until the 84 minute. When Luis Amarilla fired an absolute laser off his left foot into the left side of the net for a top ten worthy highlight goal, this was the striker’s fifth goal of the season and good for the game-winner. Not done there, four minutes later, after a booming kick from goalkeeper Dayne St. Clair Franco Fragapane gathered the ball, faked Cody Cooper out of his cleats, and buried the ball into the top right corner of the net to seal the win for the Loons.
They say good things come in threes. Well, if you asked United FC, they would have to agree. Three games with three goals and all three are wins, which is three points each. Nine points over the last three games skyrockets’ their point total to 27. Vaulting them from 12th to sixth in the western conference. Firmly in the playoff conversation now. Currently tying them with the L.A. Galaxy. Just two goals separate the two clubs in the goal differential giving the slight edge to L.A. fourth-place FC Dallas has just 28 points.
The United FC have won two of these last three games on the road. Their lone home game during this run was against Real Salt Lake, who is in third place in the western conference with 30 points. Should the Loons keep this winning streak going, they will tie RSL for third place. So, isn’t it nice “Minnesota nice.” to be home for the next two matches? It might be when you factor in the next two opponents coming to town.
On Wednesday, July 13th, the Loons face off against Sporting Kansas City. Who is tied for last place in the west. MN United FC has 26 total goals, and SKC has only 16. Good for a 10-goal heads-up differential. Also working in the United FC’s favor is their goals against, which is 24. On the other side, SKC has 33 goals against. The goal difference for the United FC is plus two. In contrast, the SKC has a negative 17. United FC has 13 assists, and SKC has eight. Every match matters and no match is a gimme. On paper, though, this is about as close as it comes.
Win or lose, the week will not be over yet, as DC United comes to town on Saturday, July 17th. DC United comes into play in a tie for last place with Chicago Fire FC in the Eastern Conference. After their seven, nothing shut out shellacking. They need to regroup. This feels like an excellent opportunity for the Loons to put together a strong stretch of soccer. If the MN United FC can continue to ride this momentum of a three-game winning streak into a two-game home stand, they could be winners of five straight, adding six more points in the standings. That would put MN United FC in the top three in the western conference. The Loons are flying up the rankings leaving other teams feeling the Loon’s colors black and blue. Scarves up, Minnesota!
