Its preseason preparations nearly completed, Minnesota United left behind three clean sheets against MLS competition in Arizona and Florida ending Saturday. After a few days back in Minnesota, the team next flies Thursday to Vancouver for Saturday's season opener.
A team that set an MLS record two seasons ago for most goals allowed surrendered just one in four MLS preseason games. It came late in Saturday's 3-1 closed-door, first-team scrimmage against Orlando City.
Until then, United held scoreless Houston, New England, New York City F.C. as well as USL team Phoenix Rising and Florida International University (in an 80-minute scrimmage).
"Gave up a goal," Heath said. "It was disappointing because we were comfortable in the game and we got a little sloppy in the last 10 minutes. Our defensive shape was good. Overall, there were a lot of pleasing aspects from preseason.
Heath criticized his team's performance against New York City, but called its play "excellent" against Orlando, which had won its two Orlando City Invitational games, including a 6-2 victory over New England.
"For us to dictate the game start to finish, they had a good first 10 minutes but after that we dominated the game," Heath said. "As the game unfolded, there was only one team that was going to win the game. There were a lot of positive in terms of certain things we've been training to work on, stuff in transition, can we get in (defensive) shape quicker? A lot of those things came to fruition Saturday."
Heath talked all preseason about preparing with purpose, with the season opener in mind. United sent assistant coach Ian Fuller to Los Angeles last weekend to scout Vancouver's final preseason game against Los Angeles F.C.
"It's all about being ready for Saturday," Heath said. "I think we're ready. We've had a great preseason in terms of lack of injuries. A couple little kicks, which you're going to get. But nothing really, really bad. So there have been a lot of positives from the preseason."
