Minnesota United attempted to revamp their starting lineup following a draw with the LA Galaxy on Wednesday, but it was two second-half substitutes who saw a lot of game time in midweek who scored goals in a 2-1 win over the Portland Timbers. at Allianz Field.
Robin Lod scored the equalizer in the 65th minute and Sang Bin Jeong scored the winning goal in the 82nd.
MNUFC (7-2-3, 24 points) extended an unbeaten streak to five five games, while Portland (3-7-4, 13 points) has won one of its last 11 matches
Lod’s goal was the Loons’ 28th in all competitions and moved them past Darwin Quintero and Emanuel Reynoso into first place in the club’s history.
For Jeong, it was his first goal in over nine seasons and just his second since joining MNUFC last spring.
United trailed at half-time, but there would be opportunities to get back into the game. The Timbers allowed the second-most goals (27) in MLS in Saturday’s game.
MNUFC controlled the start of the game and Teemu Pukki wasted a great chance in the 13th minute. Portland made them pay. Forward Jonathan Rodriguez got behind Michel Boxall and shot past Dayne St. Clair to make it 1-0 in the 17th minute.
At 28 minutes. Minnesota forward Bongi Hlongwane appeared to have been brought down in the box by Kamal Miller, but referee Jair Marrufo and VAR ruled it was not a penalty.
The Loons continued to stimulate Portland’s defense, but without progress. Rodriquez almost scored the second goal with a shot from St. Clair, but the 6-foot goalkeeper came out of the box and managed to deflect the chance.
Eric Ramsay’s bold lineup choices continued in Saturday’s starting eleven. After Wednesday’s 2-2 draw with the LA Galaxy, the Loons coach opted to make four changes and appeared to be forced to make one.
Kervin Arriaga, who suffers from a slight hamstring injury, dropped to the bench, with Devin Padelford coming on.
Clark replaced DJ Taylor at right tackle against Portland. Clark normally plays as a winger, but has played a few games as a winger. This was his first big break in his most recent role.
Carlos Harvey also made his MLS debut for the Loons, replacing Robin Lod, who has been their most impactful player this season. Harvey has played just 56 minutes in MLS for MNUFC this season.
Briefly
Loons defender Micky Tapias received a red card on Saturday and will be suspended for Saturday’s game against the Colorado Rapids. Midway through Saturday’s first half, Rodriguez and Clark’s jaws dropped after a ball went out of bounds. St. Clair defended his teammate and Tapias as well, pushing Rodriguez. Some Timbers players come to Rodriguez’s defense while Ramsay and others break up the conflict. Tapias received a yellow card for the push. Tapias then received a second yellow card for an injury-time tackle. … Woodbury native Eric Miller was a second-half substitute for Portland.
