Match Recap: For the second straight week, the Loons end the night with a nil-nil draw

For the second consecutive week, Minnesota United FC left the stadium with a single point and a scoreless draw. The Loons looked threatening and had more than their fair share of chances, even closing out with a 1.6 xG to just 0.7 for FC Dallas. This leaves the Loons sitting with 16 points on the season along with two wins and two draws at home.

Heading into the match Eric Ramsey’s side made zero changes to the Starting XI from last weekend’s away showdown against Toronto FC. On the other hand FC Dallas had seven players injured, including designated player Petar Musa and 2025 acquisition from the Sounders Léo Chú.

Match 🧵 | #MINvFCD#MNUFC look to extend their unbeaten streak to 8 tonight against the club formerly known as the Burn.ZERO changes for the Loons tonight from last weeks draw in Toronto 🇨🇦 full lineups for both sides 👇Kickoff expected at 7:39 CT

— Northland Soccer Journal (@northlandsoccer.com) 2025-04-19T23:59:35.012Z

The first forty-five minutes were simultaneously filled with action at points, while also being one that also saw very little other than the ball moving around the middle of the pitch. After five shots, three from Minnesota inside the first 13 minutes the match proceeded to devolve from there. In a preview of what was to come MNUFC and Dallas began trading fouls and the match became chippier as the minutes ticked by.

“I think they [FC Dallas] were very physical and surprisingly the referee let a lot go, said defender Michael Boxall. “I think they allowed the game to be disruptive and allowed challenges that a lot of the referee’s don’t normally go with just a free kick.”

Minnesota’s best chance of the night came in the 34th minute from a Tani Oluwaseyi shot from the centre of the box. A shot that was ultimately saved by FC Dallas goalkeeper Maarten Paes. Seven minutes later, after a solid tackle where he got the ball, Wil Trapp was issued the second yellow card of the night and first for Minnesota, in one of many decisions by inconsistent officiating.

“The referee definitely didn’t do any favors, I think for himself or for either team,” said Dayne St. Clair. “There was definitely a lack of consistency, and I think there were a lot of missed calls both ways—maybe some that he did call that weren’t fouls.”

The second half came off almost as a totally different match than the first half of play. FC Dallas pushed their weight around quite a bit more than they had in the first half. This resulted in MNUFC getting just three shots in the second half after snagging 10 shots in the first half of play. The Toros managed the best opportunity at a goal during a second half that was filled with fouls, cards, and rough play around. Luciano Acosta headed a light cross towards goal that required Dayne St. Clair to punch the ball over the top of the bar to keep the match nil-nil where it would end after ninety minutes of football.

“I think we probably leave with the same sense of frustration that we left with against Toronto last week and felt like it was a game that we showed no lack of desperation to win the game, manager Eric Ramsey said. “We created a lot of good chances. I think all the numbers would suggest that we put absolutely everything into the final stages of that game.”

With the draw the Loons push their unbeaten streak to eight matches, tying the club record of consecutive matches without a loss. Next week MNUFC has a chance to break that record set under Adrian Heath as the Loons host Vancouver Whitecaps in a Sunday matinee in St. Paul.