Minnesota United starting to develop some chemistry up front on offense

While Minnesota United's defense seems to be falling apart, its offense is coming together.

Glaring errors continue to plague the Loons, who have allowed 21 goals in 11 games this year, including three on Saturday in a home loss to San Jose.

But the attack is finding some solid chemistry among its front four.

Striker Christian Ramirez and playmaker Darwin Quintero combined with wingers Miguel Ibarra and Alexi Gomez to lead the Loons. And while this was actually the first game they all started together, this lineup looks to be United's go-to going forward.

Coach Adrian Heath said even in the loss to San Jose, he thought his attack boded well for the future.

"The interchange. The combination play of the people in the front positions," Heath said of what went well. "I thought Darwin Quintero was fantastic. I really did. And we're starting to play better with him now. So, that's a real positive for us moving forward. I know we will get better at forward areas."

The four will likely work together again Sunday at TCF Bank Stadium when Sporting Kansas City, a regional rival and one of the top teams in the league, visits.

Ramirez, Quintero and Ibarra have combined for five goals and five assists, but there's still much more to see. Quintero has been with the team for only six games while Gomez, who came to the Loons a month ago, has started the past three matches.

Ibarra didn't become a regular starter until two games into the season, and Ramirez has struggled with small injuries that have limited him to nine games and six starts.

But this attack is very different from the one United planned to employ at the beginning. Season-ending injuries to playmaker Kevin Molino and winger Ethan Finlay quickly shot that plan down, but it did pave the way for Ibarra's resurgence.

The Loons also traded away one of their starting wingers from the season opener, Sam Nicholson, in order to gain outside back Eric Miller. But even the defender has offensive contributions.

"Miguel and Alexi are both really easy guys to play with," Miller said of playing out wide. "Both offer some different stuff, but both of those guys are great to try to overlap run. Hopefully moving forward, it is something I continue doing."