Minnesota United FC lost 3-1 on the road to the Atlanta Silverbacks. Rueben Luna gave the home team a 1-0 lead in the 42nd minute on a cross from Mike Randolph. His seventh goal came on a diving header.
"When the things we've been working on in practice come off it always excites the coach, and Luna got in the right place at the right time, so I'm pleased," Atlanta coach Brian Haynes said at halftime.
"I don't think Minnesota is going to sit back now, so we have to be smart and make sure we get the next goal."
The Silverbacks did. Danny Barrera scored the eventual winner for Atlanta (4-3-4) in the 74th minute on a header, making it 2-0.
Both teams scored late in the game on penalty kicks. Simon Bracalello gave United (4-5-2) hope with a goal, his seventh of the season, in the 82nd minute. But, eight minutes later, Pedro Mendes, who hit a crossbar in the first half, scored on a penalty kick to restore Atlanta's two-goal lead.
United had trouble generating much offense partly because striker Pedro Campos, who has a team-high five goals in the fall season, was out with a right hip injury.
