Back home from Arizona on their way to Orlando for more training later this week, Minnesota United didn't allow a goal during the final two friendly games against Phoenix Rising and Houston Dynamo last week in Tucson.
Those two scoreless draws are a sign of progress for a team that allowed 71 goals -- tied for second-most in the league -- last season.
It didn't score a goal, either, but coach Adrian Heath isn't concerned after an off-season in which United rebuilt what Heath calls the defensive "spine" of his team while keeping creators and scorers Darwin Quintero, Angelo Rodriguez and Romario Ibarra up front.
"I think that will be a work in progress," Heath said. "We've mainly focused on working on getting a good shape behind the ball. Our goals-against column obviously has been a huge concern for everybody. We really haven't focused too much on what we're doing going forward yet. But I expect that to get better as we go."
Heath noted Rodriguez, Ibarra and Quintero – all back for their first full MLS season – haven't had an off-season break back home in South America as long as the MLS' pause.
"This is probably the longest break they've ever had if you look at the way their seasons are run down there," Heath said. "They'll probably take a touch longer to get up to speed, but obviously next week down in Orlando we can expect our forward play to be better than it has been so far."
The Loons train daily and will play games against MLS opponents New England, New York City F.C. and Orlando City while they prepare in Florida for their March 2 season opener at Vancouver.
Ibarra scored three goals in nine games after he was acquired in mid-season a year ago and Rodriguez scored four times in 11 games since he arrived in Minnesota.
