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Loons’ unbeaten start ended in 2-0 loss to Philadelphia

andy greder, pioneer press
·4 min read

Minnesota United’s unbeaten start to 2024 was almost salvaged Saturday by Bongi Hlongwane’s goal in the 83rd minute against the Philadelphia Union, but it was waived off for Tani Oluwaseyi being offside in the buildup.

Two minutes later, the Union put the game away with Julian Carranza beating new substitute defender Victor Eriksson in behind for an insurance goal in a 2-0 win at Subaru Park in Chester, Pa.

Going into this weekend, both teams were on a short list of five remaining undefeated clubs in MLS, but Philadelphia (2-0-3, 9 points) removed MNUFC (3-1-1, 10 points) from that exclusive group.

The Loons trailed 1-0 after a 16th minute goal from Daniel Gazdag. Off a corner kick, Gazdag gained position in front of right back DJ Taylor at the back post, while Devin Padelford and others didn’t clear a bouncing ball at the near post.

“The disappointing thing is as good a side as (Philadelphia) are with the front players … you prepare to stop their typical threats,” Loons coach Eric Ramsay said. “Their goals we conceded weren’t classic goals in any way. That’s frustrating, because I think it’s part of the fact that we weren’t at our best. We looked like we were lacking some energy. I do feel if we would have tightened up on what were pretty basic things then we wouldn’t have found ourselves in the position we were in.”

With starting center back Micky Tapias sidelined by a hamstring injury, Padelford, primarily a fullback, was a surprise pick to step in at center back over Eriksson. Eriksson appeared to be the next man up on the depth chart, but the Swede’s work visa delays kept him from having a proper preseason. The 23-year-old just made his Loons debut in the international friendly against St. Patrick’s Athletic on March 20.

“I’m not adverse in any way to having fullbacks play at center half; I’ve seen it at my previous club (Manchester United) how effective the tactic can be,” Ramsay said. “It’s not something I look to as being particularly abnormal: Devin playing there. You obviously get certain qualities with a full back playing on the inside, and you can build your team in a different way.”

Eriksson eventually subbed into the game to make his MLS debut, but seconds later he failed to properly head away a Philadelphia goal kick and Carranza was able to outrun Eriksson toward the goal and beat goalkeeper Dayne St. Clair.

That poor first impression comes as a first signing for Chief Soccer Officer Khaled El-Ahmad, who has a hands-on history in Swedish soccer. Eriksson was a free transfer but is needed as a key reserve at center back.

“Victor has had a very stop-start beginning to his career (at Minnesota),” Ramsay said about visa delays that kept him out of a full preseason and on the bench for the opening four MLS games. “He probably doesn’t have the rhythm that we quite like to start the game, so he came on and it’s more minutes for development and see where it takes him.”

Padelford primarily plays left fullback, but did play center back for MNUFC2 in 2022. He did not play centrally for the Loons developmental team last season, nor at all in MLS.

Ramsay trusted and thrusted 21-year-old Maplewood native into a big spot against a potent Philadelphia side.

“It’s definitely different just from the aspect that I was definitely noticing out wide I would really want to go out and block crosses,” Padelford said. “But I think the main thing was to just let it be and let outside back deal with it. … You see things differently and you are the ball in different areas, so it was definitely a little bit of an adjustment.”

Padelford said United “can’t let that (corner kick) bounce,” but said it was tough for him to get to. “They sent four guys to the front post and then it comes through and is at my hip, which is tough,” he said. “But you obviously, as a defender, you always want to say, ‘I could have went and got that.’ ”

With Eriksson and Padelford having a hand in both goals conceded, it was clear MNUFC missed Tapias’ veteran presence on Saturday. Tapias went through a fitness test on Friday, with Ramsay saying after training that Tapias was “50-50” to play Saturday. By Friday afternoon, Tapias was ruled out.

Given that late test, it’s believed Tapias will not be sidelined for a long time.

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