Minnesota United FC player Robin Lod scored the game-winner at Allianz Field in a 1-0 win over the Seattle Sounders FC. Minnesota looked like the better team most of the first half. However, they failed to get a shot on goal. They were able to change that though in the second half and get a goal late in the game. This also means Seattle had lost their first MLS season game this year. They did not lose a game in their previous 13 games of the 2021 MLS season.
Robin Lod’s game-winning goal ends Seattle’s unbeaten run this year
Three keys to the game
Robin Lod scores the game-winning goal
Minnesota was the better team in the game, especially in the first half. They generated a lot of scoring chances but were unable to find the back of the net.
81' A late goal is scored! #MNFC player Robin Lod is at the right place at the right time for the goal!#MINvSEA | 1-0 | #MLSpic.twitter.com/b6c0yGg4zN
— Last Word on Soccer (@LastWordSC) July 18, 2021
Niko Hansen’s pass was deflected but ended up in Robin Lod’s possession. He was right in front of the goal and scored the easy goal. Lod should get credit for being there at the right time to score the goal. There should also be credit though given to Hanson. Yes, he did not get the assist, but his positive play and pass were what helped Lod to score against Seattle.
Minnesota United FC goalkeeper Tyler Miller was the player of the game
Tyler Miller for the first 42 minutes of the game did not need to make a save except for the Raúl Ruidíaz shot in the 25-minute. However, in the end, he was forced to make four saves and was probably the player of the game. He saved the s came in the 43-minute Medranda had a shot, which was saved easily by Miller.
43' A terrific save by #MNUFC goalkeeper Tyler Miller!#MINvSEA | 0-0 | #MLS
— Last Word on Soccer (@LastWordSC) July 18, 2021
Ruidíaz shot in the 45-minute (correction not the 43-minute) might have been the save of the day. It is not an easy save and Miller deserves a lot of credit. He also did a good job late in the game in the 90+3-minute of play. He came through traffic and caught the ball. This play meant the game ended up as a win for Minnesota.
Seattle Sounders FC did not take advantage of their chances
Seattle had plenty of chances to score with nine shots and four of them on target. They did not have too many chances in the first half though. Ruidíaz had the first shot in the game in the fourth minute. Then in the seventh minute, Jimmy Medranda left-footed shot was close but missed to the left.
75' #Sounders player Xavier Arreaga thought he scored, but his goal was called offside.#MINvSEA | 0-0 | #MLS
— Last Word on Soccer (@LastWordSC) July 18, 2021
One of their best chances was actually offside. In the 75-minute, Xavier Arreaga thought he got the goal that would give Seattle the lead. This chance was created by João Paulo, who was the one who created the chance via a through ball. If Arreaga timed his run, the game might have had a different result. This was the last real chance Seattle had in the game.
Other Factors
Minnesota made a big defensive play in the 88-minute. Brent Kallman’s diving play prevented Seattle from potentially getting a dangerous chance to score. The team itself also played defensively, blocking two of Seattle’s nine shots.
atSounders pic.twitter.com/hVY8W7MXCf
— Minnesota United FC (@MNUFC) July 18, 2021
The other factor is having control of play throughout the game. This was especially true in the first half. This put the Seattle defense under pressure for the rest of the game. Minnesota’s Franco Fragapane’s skill leads to a yellow card in the 13-minute for Seattle player Danny Leyva.
Rob Lod’s goal ends Seattle’s unbeaten run – Overview
Robin with the winner.
Tyler with the clean sheet.
Read » https://t.co/VC9ISMIZMk pic.twitter.com/QenXqtnpmO
— Minnesota United FC (@MNUFC) July 18, 2021
This was not a factor as the Loons won. However, Minnesota failed to convert on many scoring chances against Seattle. In fact, in the first half, they had no shots on goal. Other than that though, Minnesota was the better team. This was with the exception of the last few minutes of the first half and a few spells in the second half.
Seattle remains first in the Western Conference and in MLS with 29 points. This is while Minnesota got a critical three points to get an MLS playoff position. They jumped to sixth place in the Western Conference with 18 points.
The Seattle Sounders will now go to Austin on July 22 at 9:30 p.m. ET. There, they will face Austin FC at Q2 Stadium. They will then host Sporting Kansas City on July 25 at 9:00 p.m. ET and the San Jose Earthquakes at 5:00 p.m. ET on July 31.
This is while Minnesota United FC will host the Portland Timbers at Allianz Field. The game will take place at 8:00 p.m. ET on July 24. They will then play two road games. The first against Los Angeles FC’s Banc of California Stadium. The game takes place at 10:30 p.m. ET. They will then travel to Rio Tinto Stadium in Sandy, Utah, where they will face the Vancouver Whitecaps FC. This game will also take place at 10:00 p.m. ET on July 31.
