Minnesota United beat Inter Miami 4–1 at Allianz Field in one of the team's best performances of the season so far. The win took the Loons to 23 points and third place in the Western Conference. The Herons are fourth, with 21.
The victory came in a match with an opponent whose starting lineup consisted of Lionel Messi, Sergio Busquets, and Jordi Alba. While glaring names figured on the opponent's side, the Loons held their grounds with cohesion and managed to score from their possessions.
Structure remained intact and an assured team
Coach Eric Ramsay kept the same team from the 3–0 win over Austin in the previous round. The 3-4-2-1 formation was repeated with minor adjustments. Minnesota bet on the same base to continue the recent good performances.
Minnesota started the scoring in the 33rd minute. The play started with Robin Lod, who controlled the ball well along with Carlos Harvey and Joaquín Pereyra. The play was completed with a pass by Harvey to Bongokuhle Hlongwane. The forward struck it first time, across the goal, and took the home team ahead. The goal came in an even spell and boosted the team's confidence to keep driving.
Minnesota tallied their second goal before halftime. A throw-in by Michael Boxall started the play. Nicolás Romero came into contact with the ball at the near post, and Anthony Markanich at the far post was free to score. It was his second in the past two games.
The goal exhibited consciousness in a direct and effective play. Minnesota took advantage of the play in the box and went into halftime leading 2–0. The team took advantage of the opportunity it created and kept its cool to preserve the half lead.
Messi scores early in the second half
Inter Miami played better in the second half and were able to cut down the deficit in the 48th minute. Lionel Messi scored by creating space and finishing clinically. It was one of the few instances where Inter Miami could create a clear-cut scoring opportunity in the game.
The target gave the guests a fresh lift, but Minnesota responded with maturity. The team stayed focused and did not lose shape after losing the goal. The quick response avoided any possibility of losing control of the game.
Shortly after the concession, the home side were compelled to make a substitution. Kelvin Yeboah came in for Jefferson Diaz in the 57th minute, when Diaz was compelled off the pitch by injury. Yeboah's introduction kept the flow of the team's attack intact and brought presence up front. The team began to play in a more relaxed 5-3-2 shape after the substitution.
Despite the shift, Minnesota continued to search for the attack. The team did not retreat following the goal of the opponent and continued to capitalize on the errors of Inter Miami in defense. Possession of the match was still with the Loons, who did not wait long to strike again.
Own goal widens the gap
Minnesota's third goal came from a set-piece attack once more. Inter Miami were unable to clear the threat, and the play ended in an own goal. The incident exposed the opponent's lack of capacity to deal with this type of situation for the rest of the game.
The target established tranquility and guaranteed the home team's dominance. The 3-1 reading reflected the events on the pitch. Minnesota was still a united unit and capitalised on the opponent's mistakes to extend the lead.
The fourth and last objective was the product of a well-constructed play. Tani Oluwaseyi started the counterattack with a left-side run. He drew the defense and placed Robin Lod in good position. Lod finished precisely and made the fourth Minnesota goal, making the score.