MATCH RECAP: Sounders FC suffer first loss of 2021 with 1-0 loss to Minnesota United

Seattle Sounders FC (8-1-5, 29 points) suffered their first loss of 2021 on Sunday afternoon, a 1-0 loss to Minnesota United FC (5-5-3, 18 points) at the Allianz Field. Following today’s result, Seattle’s unbeaten streak to start the 2021 season ends at 13 games (an MLS record). Despite the loss, Seattle remains at the top of the Supporters’ Shield and Western Conference standings, two points ahead of New England in the old category and three points ahead of Sporting Kansas City in the West.

Minnesota scored their final winner in the 81st minute, Niko Hansen cutting the right wing and playing a cross to Robin Lod at the Seattle far post. The Finnish midfielder converted a left-footed attempt, enough for the home side to lead Rave Green to victory.

Sunday’s game in Minnesota marked the first game in a three-game eight-day streak for Seattle, as the club moves to face Austin FC on Thursday, July 22 (6:30 p.m. PT / ESPN, 950 KJR AM, El Rey 1360 AM) before hosting Sporting Kansas City on Sunday, July 25 (6:00 p.m. PT / JOEtv, Prime Video, 950 KJR AM, El Rey 1360 AM).

• With the loss, Seattle’s unbeaten streak at the start of the 2021 season ends at 13 games. Heading into today’s game, Seattle was 8-0-5 on the year, setting a league record for the best start to the season (four clubs had already reached the 12-game unbeaten mark for start a season).

• Rave Green last lost in the regular season on November 1, 2020, a 1-0 loss to Colorado.

• Despite the club’s first loss of the campaign, Sounders FC remain in first place in Major League Soccer Western Conference with 29 points, three points ahead of Sporting Kansas City. Rave Green and Sporting will meet in a week’s time at Lumen Field on Sunday, July 25. Seattle also retains the Supporters’ Shield lead, two points ahead of New England for the best MLS record.

• Today’s loss is Seattle’s first loss in MLS to Minnesota United FC. Prior to today, Sounders FC were undefeated in eight all-time games (7-0-1) against Minnesota (including the playoffs). The Rave Green opened the 2021 season with a 4-0 victory over the Loons at Lumen Field on April 16.

• Starting goaltender Stefan Cleveland made his ninth start in 2021. Since Stefan Frei left the roster with injury, Cleveland is 4-1-4 for Seattle. The Sounders FC are tied for first in MLS with six shutouts, tied with Philadelphia.

• The Sounders FC have signed short-term deals with Tacoma Defiance players Samuel Adeniran and Obed Vargas, making them available on the bench for today’s game in Minnesota. International appeals and injuries to Seattle roster players made the club eligible for Extreme Hardship. As a result, Rave Green signed both players from the club’s branch for the USL Championship on short-term loans for Sunday’s game. Adeniran made his MLS debut with a substitute appearance in the 85th minute.

• Kelyn Rowe made his first start of the season as a right-winger, replacing Alex Roldan, who is on international duty with El Salvador. Rowe has appeared in every game this season, with 10 starts in total.

• Receiving a yellow card in the 64th minute, center-back Xavier Arreaga got his fifth warning of the season. With the latest reservation, the Ecuadorian national team player is expected to miss Seattle’s next game at Austin FC on July 22 due to a build-up of yellow cards.

Seattle Sounders FC 0 – Minnesota United FC 1
Sunday, July 18, 2021

Location: Allianz field
Arbitrator: Alan kelly
Assistants: Eric Weisbrod, Jeremy Kieso
Fourth official: Matthew thompson
VAR: Kevin Terry Jr.
Presence: 19 679
Weather: 86 degrees and sunny

MIN – Robin Lod (Niko Hansen, Emanuel Reynoso) 81 ‘

SEA – Danny Leyva (attention) 13 ‘
SEA – Yeimar (attention) 18 ‘
MIN – Emanuel Reynoso (attention) 64 ‘
SEA – Xavier Arreaga (caution) 64 ‘

Seattle Sounders FC – Stefan Cleveland; Xavier Arreaga, Brad Smith (Josh Atencio 69 ‘), Yeimar, Abdoulaye Cissoko (Ethan Dobbelaere 86’); João Paulo, Kelyn Rowe, Danny Leyva (Sam Adeniran 85 ‘), Jimmy Medranda; Fredy Montero, Raul Ruidíaz

Subs not used: Spencer Richey, Reed Baker-Whiting, Andrew Thomas, Obed Vargas

Total number of strokes: 9
Shots on goal: 4
Fouls: 14
Offside: 3
Corner kicks: 1
Records: 1

Minnesota United FC – Tyler Miller; Bakaye Dibassy, ​​Brent Kallman, Chase Gasper; Franco Fragapane (Ethan Finlay 86 ‘), Emanuel Reynoso (Osvaldo Alonso 86’), Robin Lod, Wil Trapp, DJ Taylor, Hassani Dotson; Adrien Hunou (Niko Hansen 74 ‘)

Unused alternates: Adrian Zendejas, Jacori Hayes, Jan Gregus, Juan Agudelo, Jukka Raitala, Justin McMaster

Total number of strokes: 11
Shots on goal: 2
Fouls: 12
Offside: 2
Corner kicks: 6
Records: 3