Minnesota United continues to have Real Salt Lake’s number.
After dispatching RSL in the MLS Cup Playoffs last fall, the Loons used two Tani Oluwaseyi goals to win 2-0 on chilly and soaking wet Saturday night at Allianz Field.
It was the most open game between the two teams in years. They had played to six straight draws, including both playoff games, which ended in shootout wins for MNUFC.
The Loons (3-1-2, 11 points) are now unbeaten in five matches and created more separation on RSL (2-4-0, 6 points).
Here are three takeaways:
Oluwaseyi on a roll
Oluwaseyi scored his first international goal for Canada against the U.S. men’s national team last Sunday and he kept his run alive with MNUFC.
The 6-foot-2 striker rose up and finished a header in the 30th minute to give MNUFC the lead. He received a great on-the-platter pass from Jefferson Diaz.
In the 55th, Oluwaseyi ran onto a pass from Joaquin Pereyra and blasted it into the back of the net for a brace.
Oluwaseyi scored his first two goals of the season in the 3-3 draw with Sporting Kansas City on March 15, the game before he headed to the CONCACAF Nations League last weekend.
So that’s five goals in his last three starts for club and country.
Commitment to the bit
Loons supporters booed Salt Lake defender Brayan Vera every time he touched the ball on Saturday. Fans did not forget how Vera spit at Minnesota captain Michael Boxall late last season.
Boxall anticipated the jeering but said Friday he doesn’t hold grudges or lean into rivalries.
“I approach each game the same way,” Boxall said. “Just trying to lay off the yellow cards. Just make sure I’m available. There are times when you are preparing for games and played well or played badly when I hype things up or play well or play badly when you are calm and relaxed. I just try to do things consistently.”
Dotson done?
Hassani Dotson might have played his last game in a Loons shirt.
Amid a dispute over a contract extension, the to-be free agent had surgery to repair a torn meniscus on Wednesday. The central midfielder is expected to be out “months” and that might extend all season long.
“Thank you for all your kind and uplifting messages,” Dotson wrote on Instagram. “The support means a lot during this tough time.”
The Loons’ current three-man midfield — as opposed to last season’s four — lessens the blow associated with Dotson’s injury.
MNUFC still has starters in Robin Lod, Joaquin Pereyra and Wil Trapp, with backups Owen Gene and Hoyeun Jung. Defenders Carlos Harvey and Joseph Rosales can fill in during a pinch, too.
“I don’t feel like we are short of options there,” Ramsay said. “That’s not to say if something was very readily available that the club wouldn’t look at that.”
The primary transfer window is open until April 23.
Gene, who subbed in Saturday, took a crunching tackle and subbed out with an apparent right leg injury.
