'A disgrace.' United coach upset with team after 4-0 loss to Miami

"We want Jonny," chanted a Minnesota United FC throng of supporters, a ploy to draw former Loons midfielder Jonny Steele in close after Saturday's match.

He obliged and when harmless boos became vulgar insults, Steele said nothing. He just flashed four fingers.

Expansion franchise Miami FC won its first road match 4-0, handing a Minnesota professional soccer team its worst loss in more than four years.

Unlike Steele, Minnesota United FC players and coach Carl Craig had plenty to say about the performance.

"Very bad," captain Tiago Calvano said.

"It's embarrassing," forward Danny Cruz said.

"A disgrace," Craig said.

But Minnesota, playing its third match in eight days, ran into an improved opponent. Miami FC (2-2-2) was fresh off a 2-1 upset victory over spring season champion Indy Eleven on July 30.

On Saturday, the visitors shocked Minnesota with three goals in the first 26 minutes. Steele opened the scoring on a deflected shot for a goal in the 9th minute.

"If we play to our plan, it doesn't go 3-nil," Craig said.

But the troubles were more than tactical.

"I think where we are, as a group, we're running on low," Craig said.

"Everyone in that locker room is absolutely fuming right now," Cruz said. "Yeah, it's tough playing in 90-degree heat last Saturday, then again on Wednesday and playing today. But it's not an excuse. We get paid to do this. It's embarrassing. We should be better. From the front to the back."

The loss tied the worst margin of defeat for a professional Minnesota soccer club since 2012, when United's precursor, the Minnesota Stars FC, fell 5-1 at Carolina.

Saturday's announced crowd of 9,040 thinned fast. One fan announced his halftime exit via Twitter.

Minnesota's troubles could extend further into the fall ­season. Stefano Pinho — the reigning NASL most valuable player — got carried off the field on a stretcher in the 29th minute after a Miami FC player rolled up on the back of Pinho's leg from behind.

Defender Damion Lowe limped off in the second half.