Minnesota United falls to Dallas' second-half goal rush in second consecutive 3-0 loss

Minnesota United coach Adrian Heath predicted Saturday's first goal scored in a fight for third place with FC Dallas would be "massive."

He had no idea how much in a dizzying 3-0 loss at Allianz Field.

His team had the better of the play into halftime and beyond — before it experienced what Heath called "five minutes of madness" that told Saturday's story.

The Loons surrendered goals in the 55th, 56th and 58th minutes, starting with defender Michael Boxall's own goal that triggered the onslaught.

Before the afternoon was over on a perfect late summer's day, the Loons and FC Dallas had exchanged third and fourth places in the Western Conference. The Loons have five games remaining, Dallas has four.

Later Saturday, Minnesota dropped into fifth place when Nashville SC defeated Austin FC 3-0.

The Loons went 8-1-2 in an 11-game stretch but now have lost consecutive games by scores of 3-0 at Real Salt Lake on Wednesday and again Saturday at home. They've done so without center back Bakaye Dibassy, and primarily on crosses made from wide areas.

The Loons lost star midfielder Emanuel Reynoso because of a swollen ankle in the 62nd minute. They played the final 21-plus minutes when Franco Fragapane's second yellow card of the afternoon left him suspended for next Saturday's game at Portland.

Heath rested six of his best players on Wednesday from Salt Lake City's altitude, 95-degree heat and a 3 a.m. arrival time back home Thursday. A first-team lineup returned on a Saturday that Heath afterward called "hugely disappointing" because he said his team played well enough to win or draw.

"I wasn't disappointed in Salt Lake because I don't think we deserved a result," he said. "I don't think we played bad enough today. We could have taken something out of this game, but we have to eradicate these moments of madness. We're giving teams too many opportunities."

His team took 15 shots, but only two were on target. And the Loons suddenly found themselves trailing 1-0 when Boxall's slide toward the goal intended to clear a dangerous Dallas crossing pass directed the ball into the goal just inside the right post.

Boxall got there just before Dallas scoring star Jesus Ferreira did.

Heath steamed afterward that his team took the ensuing kickoff and played backward, all the way to keeper Dayne St. Clair's feet. He attempted to boom the ball out of danger, but it never got past midfield and Alan Velasco's curling strike between two defenders from 18 yards made it 2-0 just 94 seconds after the own goal.

"To concede anytime you think you've had them pinned for a little bit is a momentum swing for sure," St. Clair said. "We need to do a better job bouncing back because at 1-nil, we're definitely still in the game, especially with our fans here."

Ferreira scored his 16th goal of the season little more than two minutes after that, a flicked-on header as he made a run off Boxall's shoulder in the 6-yard box.