The fall season for Minnesota United FC started with a whimper, not the bang the Loons hoped for.
The Carolina RailHawks beat United 3-1 on Saturday at WakeMed Soccer Park in Cary, N.C. Former Loon Simone Bracalello scored for the RailHawks in the 15th minute and teammate Tiyi Shipalane made it 2-0 in the 17th.
Shipalane converted after Nazmi Albadawi's shot hit the crossbar.
Daniel Mendes got the Loons' goal in the 27th minute of the first half on a tap-in off a pass from Kevin Venegas.
Austin Da Luz restored Carolina's two-goal lead in the 57th minute. Loons goalie Sammy Ndjock came out to make a save, but the rebound went to Da Luz who easily beat a defender standing on the goal line.
