Ethan Finlay scores twice but Minnesota United's unbeaten streak ends with loss at Dallas

FRISCO, TEXAS – In a back-and-forth affair resembling a heavyweight fight, Brandon Servania struck the final two blows for FC Dallas in its 5-3 victory over Minnesota United on Saturday night at Toyota Stadium.

The Loons (11-8-5, 38 points), who made nine changes to their first 11 from their Wednesday win over Portland in the U.S. Open Cup semifinals, saw their league unbeaten streak end at seven games and overall streak, counting the Open Cup, at 11.

"We were too passive in the first half. It was like we were waiting for them to score," United coach Adrian Heath said. "Second half, we showed a little more belief, a little more character and a little bit more positiveness. I think the group let themselves down a little bit because we are better than what we showed."

Ethan Finlay had two first-half goals for the Loons; Hassani Dotson had the other goal.

Dallas (10-9-6, 36 points), 7-1-5 at home, also got goals from Ryan Hollingshead, Santiago Mosquera and Reggie Cannon.

Servania netted the eventual winner in the 85th minute, 10 minutes after coming on for Santiago Mosquera. His second goal came in stoppage time.

Michael Barrios and Paxton Pomykal each finished with three assists.

"They [Dallas] play very well here because they get after you," Heath said. "They put you on the back foot. They've got pace in wide areas. They stretch the game."

Finlay scored his first 11 minutes in as the Loons capitalized on a poor clearance by FC Dallas goalkeeper Jesse Gonzalez. Finlay's fifth of the season capped a flurry of activity in front of the net.

The Toros answered in the 29th when Hollingshead's left-footed blast found the crossbar before going in; it caught Loons goalkeeper Vito Mannone off-guard. Three minutes later, Mosquera delivered a 20-yard blast from the right flank that surprised Mannone, first hitting the near post before making it 2-1.

Finlay added his second in the 42nd when he chipped Gonzalez to make it 2-2, receiving a Collin Martin chip from midfield to capitalize on communication issues with the FC Dallas back line.

The Toros regained the lead just before halftime when Cannon scored a soft goal — his light shot at the near post trickled past Mannone for a 3-2 lead.

In the 73rd minute, Dotson drew the Loons level after evading Cannon and Bressan on the edge of the Dallas area before beating Gonzalez far post with a right-footed shot from the top of the 18-yard box.

Finlay nearly got a hat trick in stoppage time, but his header off a corner found the near post. "We had a great chance to make it 4-4 there with the header from Ethan at the back post," Heath said.

"Obviously, that can happen when you're having men forward like we did at the end."

After the second Servania goal, Mason Toye received a red card for allegedly spitting at Cannon.

"Certainly, I haven't seen it, but if he spat, then he'll deserve everything he gets because this club or I won't condone that type of behavior," Heath said.