Sports

Loons set goal to score more goals, give up fewer

March 2, 2019 at 3:43AM
Minnesota United FC Francisco Calvo photographed February 8, 2017 in Portland, OR. ] ELIZABETH FLORES • liz.flores@startribune.com ORG XMIT: MIN1702170905340048
Minnesota United FC Francisco Calvo photographed February 8, 2017 in Portland, OR. ] ELIZABETH FLORES • liz.flores@startribune.com ORG XMIT: MIN1702170905340048 (The Minnesota Star Tribune)

It's been a rough start in MLS, both offensively and defensively, for Minnesota United FC. The club hasn't topped the 50-goal mark in either of its seasons while giving up a ton of scores in each. The Loons spent the offseason shoring up a defense that has surrendered 2.1 goals per match over two seasons. Parlaying strong defense into more scoring opportunities is one approach the club will take to get closer to the 48-point mark, which likely would put the Loons in the playoff hunt.

41

Goals scored by United the past two seasons in its 34 road games. The Loons have scored 55 goals at home the past two seasons.

90

Goals surrendered on the road by the Loons since entering the league (2.6 per game). That's a stark contrast to the 51 goals they surrendered in 34 games (1.5 per game) at TCF Bank Stadium.

17.6%

United's road winning percentage in its two seasons. The Loons are 4-26-4 on the road during the past two seasons. The club brings a 57.4 home winning percentage (17-12-5) on its move from TCF Bank to Allianz Field this season.

Goals Please

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Scoring has been a problem for the Loons since entering MLS. They saw a two-goal improvement from 2017 to 2018 but are tied for 17th in the league with 96 over the past two seasons.

60

100

140

Atl. leads MLS with 140 goals since 2017.

Salt Lake, Vancouver and Seattle: 104

Loons, Columbus: 96

Colorado: 67

Defensively speaking

The Loons have given up a record 141 goals over the past two seasons. The club brought in goalkeeper Vito Mannone and his Premier League experience to help.

145

105

65

Loons have allowed the most goals (141) since 2017.

Today's opponent (Van.) is tied with New England for fifth most (116).

K.C. has allowed the fewest (69).

Efficient offense

While United has struggled to score and create shots on goal, when the Loons do attack downfield, their aim is better than most in MLS.

26

32

38

Loons (35.9) are one of seven teams that score on 35 percent or more of their shots on goal.

Real Salt Lake, which has the most shots on goal since 2017 (385), has MLS' lowest conversion rate (27 percent).

Sources: MLS.com; mnufc.com • Note: Graphs above do not include LAFC, which joined the league last year.

Last season's united leaders

Darwin
Quintero

GOALS • 11

Darwin
Quintero

assists • 15

Darwin
Quintero

shots on goal • 32

Miguel
Ibarra

SOG Perc. • 51.4

bobby shuttleworth

saves • 103

francisco
calvo

yellow cards • 9


Minnesota United FC Miguel Ibarra photographed February 8, 2017 in Portland, OR. ] ELIZABETH FLORES • liz.flores@startribune.com ORG XMIT: MIN1702170902450014
Minnesota United FC Miguel Ibarra photographed February 8, 2017 in Portland, OR. ] ELIZABETH FLORES • liz.flores@startribune.com ORG XMIT: MIN1702170902450014 (The Minnesota Star Tribune)
Minnesota United FC's Darwin Quintero, shown during a match last month, scored a penalty-kick goal for the Loons on Saturday at New England.
Minnesota United FC’s Darwin Quintero (25) passes the the ball during the first half of an MLS soccer match against New York City FC, in Orlando, Fla., Wednesday, Feb. 20, 2019. (Photo/Willie J. Allen Jr.) ORG XMIT: MIN1902221128221218 (The Minnesota Star Tribune)
(The Minnesota Star Tribune)
Darwin Quintero held up his new jersey after the news conference where he was introduced Monday afternoon. At right is team public relations manager Jessica Lopez. ] JEFF WHEELER • jeff.wheeler@startribune.com The Minnesota United Football Club introduced the team's first high-profile - and highly paid - designated player, Darwin Quintero, at a news conference in St. Paul Monday afternoon, April 2, 2018. ORG XMIT: MIN1804021520340169
Darwin Quintero held up his new jersey after the news conference where he was introduced Monday afternoon. At right is team public relations manager Jessica Lopez. ] JEFF WHEELER • jeff.wheeler@startribune.com The Minnesota United Football Club introduced the team’s first high-profile - and highly paid - designated player, Darwin Quintero, at a news conference in St. Paul Monday afternoon, April 2, 2018. ORG XMIT: MIN1804021520340169 (The Minnesota Star Tribune)
Minnesota United forward Carlos Darwin Quintero (25) leapt for the ball while attacking Portland's goal in the first half Saturday. ] AARON LAVINSKY ¥ aaron.lavinsky@startribune.com Minnesota United FC played the Portland Timbers on Saturday, Sept. 22, 2018 at TCF Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minn.
Darwin Quintero needs the ball to show his skills. The Loons hope their strengthened defense gets him the ball more often in his favorite spots. (The Minnesota Star Tribune)
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about the writer

Jay St. Pierre, Star Tribune

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