Just two matches into the 2026 season and Minnesota United are already pulling out the surprises. After a first half that didn't go exactly as the Loons wanted, a second half Kelvin Yeboah goal ultimately gave MNUFC three points and a massive win over unbeaten FC Cincinnati.
"One of our messages to the guys [at half time] was we're one pass away from a really good goal." said manager Cameron Knowles. "But to get in some good positions if we can just play that extra pass and create a better chance, a better scoring opportunity instead of taking some of those low value chances. Certainly you'd fancy us to have scored a goal."
Minnesota United by all accounts should have put up a two goals, including bagging a first half goal that didn't come. MLS Analytics had the Loons ending the night with 1.92xG on 16 shots with 10 on target. That was indicative of a much better second half that Minnesota played, where they controlled Cincinnati and the style of play for almost the entire second half.
The flip side was in the first forty-five minutes Minnesota only came away with 1 shot on target out of 9 total shots taken. The struggling with scoring is nothing new for Minnesota, but something they are really looking to get away from this season. Forward Kelvin Yeboah agreed that Minnesota should have bagged a first half goal.
"I think we had a lot of chances in the first half, we should have finished better. We're still polishing up, it's still a new system, and still one or two things we can do better," forward Kelvin Yeboah said following Saturday's win.
On the other side of the pitch Minnesota's new goalkeeper Drake Callender pulled off a clean sheet in his first ever match in Midway. The few errors that happened defensively in the first half, including two Loons nearly colliding, we're covered by a solid defensive effort that has been the hallmark of Minnesota soccer over the last three seasons. Callender made four saves on the evening, including a couple massive saves in the second half to keep MNUFC leading late in the game.
“It’s a great feeling, we work all week for this game. Every week, we work to show up and have that experience in front of the fans at home," goalkeeper Drake Callender said post match. "It was a new feeling for me. I haven’t felt the atmosphere and haven’t played here before, so it feels great to have the win at home and to add three points to our team.”
Next up for Minnesota United is a two match away swing with visits to Nashville and Vancouver as the club stays out of playing in the Minnesota cold for just a bit longer. Something that the team takes in stride, knowing the climate in the North Star State.
"It's the nature of the schedule, were in a place where more than likely this time of year we're going to play games away from home," Cameron Knowles said to the media. "It's a difficult thing to do to have those games on the road, but it's the nature of it. We were one of the best teams on the road last year and we need to continue to find ways to pick up results this season."
