Swift counterattacks were the difference for Minnesota United FC on Sunday evening, when they used a second-half blitz to secure a 3-1 win over the Portland Timbers at Providence Park.
Minnesota head coach Adrian Heath was confident that if his side could withstand early pressure, they’d punish Portland on the break, especially with how aggressive Timbers’ fullbacks Jorge Villafana and Jorge Moreira were playing.
“I thought we started a little bit slow,” Heath told the media after the match. “Our ball retention wasn’t the best first 10-15 minutes and we weathered a couple of opportunities from them. But after I thought, once we weathered the storm, I thought we were more than capable of catching them on the break, on the counterattack, and I did say to them if we don’t concede any more, we can win this game.”
That’s exactly what Minnesota did behind a brace from Kevin Molino, pair of assists from winger Ethan Finlay and game-winning header from newcomer Luis Amarilla. They even responded swiftly after a Diego Valeri penalty kick in the 56th minute wiped out Molino’s first goal.
Minnesota, ultimately, were one of four MLS clubs to grab an opening-weekend win on the road, perhaps offering a sign of better days ahead after last year’s 5-10-2 away record.
“After a difficult first half, all credit to them, I think we fought hard and stuck together as a team,” Molino said. “You know Portland is a very good team at home, they have a lot of quality, the fans get involved in the game and of course [it was] difficult the first 15 minutes but we weathered the storm and we got a goal and we rallied together as a team.”
Aside from Amarilla up top and Tyler Miller at goalkeeper, Heath trotted out a familiar starting XI that in 2019 powered Minnesota’s first Audi MLS Cup Playoffs appearance and a trip to the U.S. Open Cup final.
That built-in understanding will prove vital as Minnesota approaches Week 2, as well, with a trip to face the San Jose Earthquakes set for Saturday (8 pm ET | MLS LIVE on ESPN+ in US, MLS LIVE on DAZN in Canada). Aside from center back Oswaldo Alanis, the Quakes also have little roster turnover, plus will be chasing their first win after drawing, 2-2, with Toronto FC on Saturday. Also of note, Minnesota won both of their meetings with San Jose last year by a combined 6-1 scoreline.
“I’m pleased for about, what do you have, a couple of hundred people up in the corner there of Minnesota fans so it was great to give them something to cheer,” Heath said. “I thank them for the support and now we dust ourselves down, go again on Monday and let’s see where we are next week at San Jose."
