Loons get three points against 10 man San Diego FC

An early goal and hot start from San Diego ended up burning out fast as MNUFC outlasted the hosts winning 2–1 and getting their second straight victory in Southern California. A 7th minute goal from Luca Bombino was countered five minutes later after one from Kyle Duncan. Kelvin Yeboah's late first half goal put the Loons in the lead and a second half red card sealed the result.

If it ain't broke don't fix it was the model for Minnesota United on Saturday night in California. Following last weeks win and another match in just a few days Cameron Knowles kept his eleven from LA intact for their match in San Diego. Wil Trapp was available from the bench, while Fitz missed this match due to injury.

Things did not start extremely well for Minnesota United as San Diego started dominating the match from the initial kickoff. It only took a hard charging SDFC side seven minutes to score, with Luca Bombino breaking the match open for the hosts.x

Five minutes after the initial goal Christopher McVey was issued a yellow card setting up Minnesota for a series of offensive chances. Yeboah's free kick off the foul didn't go as planned, but the Loons would score in that phase. Tomás Chancalay sent a ball into the box and Kyle Duncan scored on a header, scoring his first goal as a Loon.

As the first half wound to a close it appeared the match would head to the break level at 1-1 but another break for the Loons changed that in quick fashion. Kelvin Yeboah got an easy finish right in front of goal following a header from Markanich, handing MNUFC a 2–1 lead in the 40th minute.

McVey's first half yellow card became very important early on in the second half. Following being called for a foul after a rough tackle on Nicolás Romero, McVey was handed his second yellow and sent off. The loss of McVey in the first minute of the second half forced San Diego to play the remainder of the match down a player and a goal.

Wil Trapp made his return to the pitch coming on as a sub in the 66th minute alongside Devin Padelford. Trapp who missed the match against LA Galaxy due to illness replaced Owen Gene while Padelford came on for Nicolás Romero. Carlos Harvey became the third sub when he replaced Jefferson Díaz in the 71st minute.

For most of the second half Minnesota was content to sit back defensively and watch San Diego struggle to play out of the back. During the few times San Diego FC did get a chance the Loons defence was suffocating and did not allow any real chances. On the other side of the ball Minnesota waited for their chances and took open breakouts to try and score, though to no avail.

The Loons only have two days of rest before their next match as on Tuesday night they'll face Sacramento Republic in the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup. MNUFC will stay in California during the quick turnaround and return following Tuesday's match. Next Saturday it's back to MLS play and their first home match since 22 March as MNUFC hosts Portland Timbers.