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Loons take down MLS expansion darling St. Louis City 1-0 on Saturday

andy greder, pioneer press
·3 min read

Luis Amarilla could have taken the available reasons to be timid — his final touch has not been sharp this season, including on Saturday — but the Paraguayan blasted his penalty kick into back of the net when Minnesota United needed him to be confident.

Amarilla went straight down the middle to convert from the spot in the 78th minute to give St. Louis City its first defeat as an MLS expansion franchise, 1-0, at a lively CityPark.

Minnesota ended a perfect start for St. Louis, and the Loons kept their own undefeated start going for another week. Minnesota (3-0-2) has now won three straight road games for the second time in club’s MLS history (June-July 2022) and their 11 points through five matches are a club record since joining MLS in 2017.

St. Louis (5-1-0) had been on pace to challenge the best start for any club in the post-shootout era, which was set by Sporting Kansas City (7-0-0) in 2012.

“We get continually wrote off,” manager Adrian Heath said. “I like it for the players because I always say there is nothing better as a player than proving people wrong. And we’ve gone and done it again.”

Coming into the week, St. Louis led MLS with 15 goals this season, but had an expected goals of roughly half that. The Loons’ defense helped bring them back to reality and further built up their stoutness with only three goals allowed through five games.

St. Louis’ Brazilian striker Klauss had scored five goals this season, but MNUFC limited him to two shots, none on goal and 0.26 xG. Goalkeeper Dayne St. Clair said while Klauss is big at 6-foot-2, the Loons defenders were willing to be physical with him and knock him off his spot.

Minnesota’s three best chances of the first half centered around what Amarilla wasn’t able to do. Kervin Arriaga’s pass led Amarilla into space in front of goal in the 16th minute, but the Paraguayan’s first touch let him down.

On a counter attack in the 38th, Amarilla’s pass was a little to far in front of Bongi Hlongwane, went to Arriaga, but his shot was blocked. Then in the 55th minute, Amarilla scuffed a shot after Mender Garcia’s hit the woodwork.

But Amarilla kept getting in dangerous spots. He earned the PK after being taken down in the box by Kyle Hiebert and Amarilla scored his second goal of the season, including another PK in the 2-1 win over Colorado Rapids on March 18.

After Amarilla scored with gusto Saturday, his celebration included cupping his ear. He might have acted like he wanted to hear boos within the stadium, but he was actually tuning them out.

Briefly

New signing Sang Bin Jeong was not able to get his passport in time to meet the team in Missouri. The South Korean was in Calgary getting his work visa. His next opportunity for his MLS debut is next Saturday at Chicago. … Midfielder Robin Lod (illness) stayed in Minnesota. … Heath stuck with the 4-4-2 formation he used when seven players were away for national-team duties last week in the 1-1 draw with Vancouver Whitecaps. Internationals Michael Boxall, Kemar Lawrence, St. Clair, Arriaga and Hlongwane returned to their club and were reinserted into the starting XI. … More than 120 traveling supporters followed the club to Missouri on Saturday. .. Minnesota United’s Under-17 team beat IMG Academy 2-0 in the first group stage match of the GA Cup Saturday in Bradenton, Fla. Loons U15 were blown out 4-0 by FC Nordsjaelland. Loons’ academy leader Amos Magee said this week that he thought highly of that Danish side’s academy. Both Minnesota academy sides will have two more group-stage games Sunday and Monday. … Former MNUFC2 player Aziel Jackson came on as a sub Saturday. Minnesota traded the midfielder to St. Louis in November.

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