A late surge for Minnesota United just wasn't quite enough to overcome two SKC goals and for the first time since 2023 MNUFC tasted defeat at the hands of Sporting Kansas City. Joveljić;s first half goal put the hosts up and that was followed by a second half goal from Manu García. Devin Padelford's header added some spark and the Loons kept firing but were unable to get past Stefan Cleveland a second time.
With a number of players out due to illness and injury Cameron Knowles had to make a number of changes to the Loons starting eleven. His biggest change however was moving the 25 year old German Morris Duggan into the centre-back role. Michael Boxall, fresh off the World Cup with New Zealand was slotted alongside Duggan at the right centre-back position.
Northland Soccer Journal
Starting off the match it was all Minnesota for the opening twenty minutes of play. Right from the jump the Loons put a high press and high pressure on SKC. The plan paid out dividends pretty quickly, with the Loons getting quite a few chances inside the opening 10 minutes of football.
Minnesota's best chance of the half came just as the match crossed the quarter hour mark when Kelvin Yeboah and Morris Duggan took back to back shots. Yeboah cracked the post on his attempt and Duggan sent a hard low shot at goal that SKC keeper Stefan Cleveland just got his hand on.
Once the match crossed the twenty minute mark the tables started to turn. Sporting broke out on counters and it paid off i the 28th minute. Capita got a run down the far side of the pitch and cut through Devin Padelford, then sent a low cross over to Dejan Joveljić who finished the play from right in front of the six.
Dejan Joveljić's 28th minute goal for Sporting Kansas City (from @SportingKC on Twitter)
Following the goal the Loons struggled through the end of the first half. Minnesota's high press and gusto they started the match with was nowhere to be found in the final quarter hour of the opening half. And that remained the case when the second half started. Sporting continued to put counter attacking pressure on Minnesota while the Loons looked not so comfortable controlling possession and the pace of play.
Ten minutes into the second half Sporting got another goal to double the lead at home. Once again coming off a counter attack SKC that got the ball to Jake Davis. He then slipped a quick back pass to Manu García who was able to beat Callender on his near side.
Manu García's 55th minute goal for Sporting Kansas City (from @SportingKC on Twitter)
Even after the second goal the Loons continued to control the pace of play, but again without much gusto until Knowles made his first set of substitutions. Just under ten minutes after the goal Bongokuhle Hlongwane and Mamadou Dieng came on to replace Kyle Duncan and Kelvin Yeboah. Right away the changes brought a much needed spark to Minnesota and it wouldn't take long for the Loons to finally but a goal on the board.
Joaquín Pereyra snapped a free kick from just outside the penalty area and an unmarked Devin Padelford got his head on it to get Minnesota on the board in the 75th minute.
Devin Padelford's 75th minute goal for Minnesota United (from @MLS on Twitter)
Following the goal Minnesota United had the spark back that they started the match with. The Loons continued to push for a second goal and came extremely close to drawing the match level, but Anthony Markanich's 90th minute strike just missed the goal wide.
Next up Minnesota United hosts Vancouver Whitecaps on Saturday night for the Loons first home match since May. Kickoff time is set for 7:30pm at Allianz Field in St. Paul.
