When Minnesota United plays the Seattle Sounders, the only thing the Loons can count on is that something always will go wrong.
Red cards? Impossible comebacks? Long-range blasts? Minnesota never knows what it will be; the Loons only know that it will be something.
On Saturday evening at Allianz Field, it was Sounders midfielder Albert Rusnák driving in a 20-yard shot off the post, after Minnesota had erased two previous Seattle leads. The goal, 15 minutes from the end of the game, gave Seattle an almost-impossible 14th win in 17 games, in all competitions, against Minnesota.
Compared with the Sounders’ dominance against the Loons, the New York Yankees have had merely a slight advantage over the years against the Twins.
Rusnak’s goal ruined an impressive debut for Loons striker Kelvin Yeboah, who made his first start as a designated player. Yeboah scored twice, once from the penalty spot, erasing Seattle leads both times.
It wasn’t enough to end Minnesota’s struggles against the Sounders, though.
“We can’t find ourselves having to score four goals to win games at home, and give up the goals that we give up there - and that’s an undisputable fact. And I know the players feel that way as well,” Loons coach Eric Ramsay said.
Jordan Morris put Seattle in front after just 11 minutes, his third goal in three games against Minnesota this season. New signing Jefferson Diaz attempted a long cross-field pass in his own half, but Robin Lod, the intended recipient, slipped and fell down. Two Seattle touches later, Morris was beating Minnesota’s offside trap, with Diaz failing to step up in time, and chipping the ball past Dayne St. Clair.
