Neal: Loons defense will be key as they start MLS playoffs on Monday

Here’s the weekly 3-2 Pitch: Three observations and two predictions regarding the local sports scene.

Warning to opponents trying to break down the Minnesota United defense during the playoffs: Pack a lunch.

A great defense in soccer doesn’t come down to one or two players. It is the culmination of getting 11 players synchronized while presenting the same mentality.

Just like the goalkeeper is the first attacker on offense, the forwards are the first defenders. It takes everyone on the field to shut supply lines and keep shots out of the goal.

All of that said, the Loons defense is anchored by one of MLS’ best goalkeepers in Dayne St. Clair and is marshaled by Michael Boxall, performing as well as he ever has at age 37. The two have been teammates since 2020, and their familiarity with each other is a strength that fortifies the Loons defense.

“We’re just comfortable knowing that he will pull out a big save once or twice a game,” Boxall said of St. Clair. “Obviously, the way the defense is playing, for me it’s kind of like a badge of honor where, if he has a less busy night, we have done our jobs. But on the few occasions where we do get beat, he’s always there.”

St. Clair on Thursday was named a finalist for MLS Goalkeeper of the Year. He tied for third in the league with 10 clean sheets during the regular season. The Loons were pulling for Boxall to make the list of finalists for Defender of the Year, but he wasn’t selected.

Dayne, how’s he doing it at age 37?

“It almost seems as if he’s Benjamin Button,” St. Clair, 28, said, “and is just getting younger and rolling it back.”

That drew a laugh from Boxall.

“You got all these young guys that are super talented, that makes it fun to show up to work,” he said. “I think a big part of that keeps me young.”

It’s all why the Loons are headed for the postseason with their best chance of making a run since 2020, when they were eliminated in the Western Conference finals. They enter the tournament — their best-of-three first round series against Seattle begins Monday at Allianz Field — having given up the third-fewest goals in the league during the regular season, at 39. It’s also a franchise record for fewest goals allowed in a season, not counting the COVID-19 campaign that was reduced to 21 games.

We spent Thursday night watching Carson Wentz wince.

Vikings coach Kevin O’Connell made it clear when the Vikings returned from Europe that Wentz was pretty beat up while suffering a left shoulder injury during their most recent victory, a 21-17 triumph over Cleveland on Oct. 5 in London.

Since then, we have seen Wentz favor that shoulder frequently. On Thursday, he was under siege by the Chargers pass rush, lying on the ground for moments following hits and grimacing on the sidelines.

Wentz gutted it out as well as he could. He could have taken himself out of the game but elected to keep playing as the hits accumulated. While he battled, fans at the bar I was at Thursday night chanted for Max Brosmer.

They left empty-handed. No Vikings win. No Brosmer.

By this time next week, we could know who the 15th manager of the Twins is. The Twins have been working to hire their new on-field leader sooner rather than later.

The timing will be interesting. MLB doesn’t like teams making news during the World Series but will grant permission to make such announcements during off days. Rocco Baldelli, for instance, was unveiled as Twins manager between Games 2 and 3 of the 2018 World Series. Paul Molitor was hired right after the 2014 World Series.

This year, the off days are Sunday and Thursday. Keep your schedules open for news. With several managerial openings around the league, it could be a busy week.

One recent development: Boston bench coach Ramón Vázquez is no longer a candidate for the Twins job.

I’m pulling for Toronto to pull off the upset. But the Dodgers will win the World Series in six games. Shohei Ohtani, Mookie Betts and Freddie Freeman will lead the way.