In two games, Minnesota United's proficiency at executing set pieces has ranged, in coach Adrian Heath's estimation, from "really dangerous" to "awful," a disparity that has its extenuating circumstances.
In Sunday's 1-0 home victory over D.C. United, Loons midfielder Jan Gregus wasn't the only one who struggled with the pace and positioning on his free kicks.
Even D.C. United great Wayne Rooney couldn't find the proper footing on Allianz Field's newly grown grass in what otherwise is one of soccer's most threatening game situations.
"The fact Wayne Rooney's were bad as well gives you an idea that it wasn't easy on the foot," Heath said.
The game before, Rooney scored a winning free kick at Columbus. He has four free-kick goals since joining D.C. last summer. No one else in MLS has scored more than one such goal in that time.
The ability to bend the ball on corner kicks, or around a wall of defenders from dead-ball situations, is a reason the Loons used their third designated-player slot to acquire Gregus last winter.
United star Darwin Quintero's inconsistency on free kicks made Gregus the team's designated specialist, until he drew a red card at Toronto two weeks ago and was suspended for the next game.
Quintero assumed that role on set pieces for the ensuing match, a scoreless draw with the L.A. Galaxy. He delivered a couple of corner kicks into the box that defender Ike Opara just missed converting into scoring headers.
