Minnesota United gets back to winning ways with 2-1 victory at Dallas

Minnesota United took back three of those points it squandered in a four-game winless streak ended by Sunday's well-earned, vital 2-1 victory at FC Dallas.

After losses to LAFC, Cincinnati, Seattle and Wednesday's 1-1 home draw with the LA Galaxy, the Loons won at Dallas for the first time since they entered MLS play.

They did so by starting the same 11 — Robin Lod back up top as striker, DJ Taylor at right back — for the first time in 13 games this season.

Gone is their 0-4-2 road record to a team that just recently had a nine-game unbeaten streak and hadn't lost at home since October 27, 2021.

Last week, Loons coach Adrian Heath lamented not reaching 17 points in the MLS standings after the home loss to Cincinnati.

Now his team his team has 18 points, a 5-5-3 record and is ninth in the 14-team Western Conference.

Still agitated Sunday by criticism written by what he called critical "social media idiots," Heath was asked if Sunday's result was the best this season.

His team won this time for the first time at Toyota Stadium, where it was 68 degrees at opening kick rather than 98 as it often is.

"It always helps when you can naturally breathe and walk and run without feeling like you'll keel over after 10 minutes."

Dallas had been 5-0-1 at home until Lod and Taylor each scored goals in the first 55 minutes. Then goalkeeper Dayne St. Clair and the Minnesota United defense allowed Dallas only Paul Arriola's long strike in the 59th minute.

That's all Dallas scored, even when MLS' leading scorer Jesus Ferreira came on in the 57th minute — and despite mounting pressure applied through stoppage time's seven minutes.

"This is another win that helps us climb up the table," Heath said. "If we keep everybody fit and healthy, we're going to do OK, probably a bit more than OK and a bit better than probably what a lot of other people think."

Lod pounced on a set-piece deflected free kick that Loons star Emanuel Reynoso sent under Dallas' jumping wall and keeper Maarten Paes stopped, but couldn't contain.

He scored for a third consecutive game, for the fifth time in his past seven games and for the sixth time this season.

Lod's 22nd goal with the Loons also set a club record for goals with the team, surpassing 21 each from Christian Ramirez, Kevin Molino and Darwin Quintero.

"I'm pleased for him," Heath said. "He has been a terrific pickup for us. I can't thank him enough for what he's done for us all."

Taylor scored in the 55th minute on another recycled set piece. A Reynoso corner kick went through a tangle of players to Taylor 24 yards out, who hit it into the net with a one-touch volley.

He did, scoring on a shot he called "smooth and sweet" after he started a second consecutive game for injured Romain Metanire.

"The plan now is get more assists and more goals and three points every time I play," Taylor said. "I'm just super proud of myself, a guy who is always working. It feels good to get a reward for all my effort.

"Last year, I was trying get in the starting lineup. Now I feel my feet are planted in the club. I know this week has been a blessing, but it doesn't stop here."