Analysis: Minnesota United exits satisfied with strategy emphasizing defense against LAFC

Minnesota United coach Eric Ramsay has spoken about how his team needs to evolve to be a bit less defensive and a bit more successful in trying to control the ball.

A season-opening game at LAFC, though, isn’t really the time to try to make that change.

Over its first seven seasons in MLS, Los Angeles earned 2.10 points per game at home, tops in the league. Put another way, only four teams in MLS history have ever earned 2.10 points per game or better in a single season, so “LAFC at home” is about as good as any of the best teams in the history of MLS.

And so Minnesota spent most of Saturday’s regular-season opener sitting back in a 5-3-2 defensive shell, shutting off the middle of the field and daring LAFC to try to play over the top or around the edges. LAFC managed a goal, enough to win 1-0.

“We didn’t dominate the ball, but by design that was the case today,” Ramsay said. “I didn’t feel like there were many occasions where we were really opened up, and I think we controlled a lot of their top players really intelligently, diligently, in a very disciplined way.”

Even on the one goal the Loons allowed, they did a good job turning back the initial attack from star winger Denis Bouanga — but Jeremy Ebobisse ended up picking up a pass on the other side of the penalty area and blasting home a shot from the top of the box. “It was a very good finish, and I wouldn’t put anyone at fault in particular for that,” Ramsay said.

From the standpoint of the defensive game plan, at least, Ramsay was happy with how his team played.

“They’re a team that wants to play through the middle of the pitch and has three good midfield players that can handle the ball,” Ramsay said. “They want to go into the middle and then switch quickly to two very dangerous wide players. We wanted to make sure that we take that space well away, and I felt largely we did.”

In 2024, the Loons often had Dayne St. Clair aim his goal kicks at a certain player stationed near the midway line of the field — often Kervin Arriaga before he departed, later Carlos Harvey. It was by design, an attempt to hit the ball at a player who could perhaps win a header but definitely challenge and create a 50-50 ball that the rest of the team could try to win and start an attack.

On Saturday, the game plan seemed to be simpler: Station Kelvin Yeboah and Tani Oluwaseyi about 20 yards into the LAFC half and have St. Clair aim as long as possible.

“They’re a team that they want to press really aggressively from goal kicks,” Ramsay said. “We’ve got certain strengths on the last line when we play with Kelvin and Tani. So we want to make sure that we’re set up underneath that to make sure that we are there to clean the second balls up. It was a useful ploy for us for sure, because it leads to set plays, it leads to moments where we can establish good possession in the opposition’s half.”

The one issue is that, as often as not, the kick simply ended up bouncing to LAFC goalkeeper Hugo Lloris. It certainly forced LAFC to try to pass the length of the field, but Minnesota wasn’t all that effective in turning the long goal kicks into possession.

Left center back Morris Duggan made one start last season in the Leagues Cup, against Liga MX side Necaxa, but Saturday’s start was his first in MLS play — and it went well, even against the potent LAFC offense.

“Obviously, disappointed about the result, but personally I really enjoyed it and it was a great atmosphere and great weather,” Duggan said. “It’s just a dream, you know?”

“He had a really good 90 minutes,” Ramsay said. “He was very composed, very strong in his 1v1 [one-on-one] duels. … Between him and Nicolás Romero and Dev [Devin Padelford], we’ve now got good options on that side.”

Duggan played in parts of four matches last season for the Loons, two in MLS and two in the Leagues Cup. But he also got plenty of experience on loan in the USL Championship at the end of the season, starting 10 games for Rhode Island FC as the expansion team made a run to the second-division title game.

“The games felt a little bit more meaningful,” said Duggan, comparing it with his experience in MLS Next Pro, where he started 12 times for MNUFC2. “Not to disrespect MLS Next [Pro], but it’s grown men and it’s teams in cities with great support.

“It felt closer to MLS, but obviously there’s another step [up] in MLS. It really helped me prepare for that environment. This year, I felt more prepared and confident.”