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Minnesota United loses to Vancouver in final MLS preseason match

andy greder, pioneer press
·1 min read

Minnesota United lost its final preseason game 2-0 to Vancouver Whitecaps in the Coachella Valley Invitational in Indio, Calif., on Saturday.

The Loons went goalless in open play in three preseason games in the California desert, falling to 1-4-1 across six preseason matches. With three games in Florida, MNUFC had a minus-7 goal differential.

Minnesota manager Adrian Heath wanted to have as close to a starting XI on Saturday as possible before the Feb. 25 opener at Dallas.

The Loons had new Mexican center back Micky Tapias make his debut next to Michael Boxall, with Kemar Lawrence and Zarek Valentine at fullbacks in front of goalkeeper Dayne St. Clair.

With Emanuel Reynoso still in Argentina, Heath went with a 4-3-3 formation with Wil Trapp, MNUFC2 player Molik Jesse Khan and Robin Lod in midfield. Bongi Hlongwane, Luis Amarilla and Franco Fragapane were the attacking trio.

Hassani Dotson, who tore his ACL in April, made his return as a second-half sub. Right back DJ Taylor came off bench, too.

First-team Honduran mids Kervin Arriaga and Joseph Rosales have been in Honduras working on their U.S. green cards.

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