Written By Nicolas Hallett
It seems to be the story of Minnesota United’s season thus far: not being able to reach top gear.
This was highlighted on Saturday when the Loons’ Spring Title hopes were dashed as they drew 1-1 with the Carolina Railhawks.
Granted the Railhawks and United came into the game level on points, both possessing 13, but Minnesota is regarded as one of North American Soccer League’s better sides anything less than a championship will be regarded as a disappointment, a point head coach Manny Lagos has echoed.
But here’s the thing, it’s not as if Minnesota is middling or slightly above average team as their place in the table would suggest. On paper, sure, things appear to be a bit mediocre. But this isn’t the case on the pitch, where United displays their depth and skill on regular basis.
The Spring Title will almost assuredly be hoisted by the equally financially empowered and depth-laden New York Cosmos in a few weeks. Minnesota and New York played to a staunch 1-1 draw.
The scoreline doesn’t quite tell the story. The result felt like a loss for the Loons’ side which dominated play for the majority of the match only to give up an equalizer in the game’s dying moments to the league’s most famous player in Spanish legend Raúl.
“The guys put in a performance tonight that deserved three points,” said Minnesota United Head Coach Manny Lagos. “I thought they dealt with the game so well, it’s a tough one to swallow.”
United has long struggled against New York, having gone winless — three losses and two draws — in five straight against the Cosmos.
“Every game is a championship game in the Spring Season,” said Minnesota United defender Kevin Venegas. “Tonight feels like a loss even though the scoreline says 1-1. We all knew what was riding on tonight’s game, but that’s just the way the game goes sometimes.”
NASL divides its season into two parts, the Spring and Fall seasons. Each season has a winner, which comes with a shiny trophy, but neither of these are the league’s ultimate prize. That is known as The Championship, which is awarded in a playoff style format after the Fall season. The winner of each season, however, is given an automatic playoff berth.
The Spring season is far shorter than the Fall season, providing itself as an early opportunity to win a silverware and reduce stress by guaranteeing a playoff spot. Minnesota, the 2014 Spring champions, was frustrated to miss out on this assurance.
But that’s what the Spring Title would provide for United — a safety blanket. Much like a real life safety blanket, though, the team doesn’t actually need it, or shouldn’t. It just would have been nice.
In theory, this team is well-suited to challenge for the league’s top prize. On most given nights in the NASL, Minnesota will step onto the fields as favorites (arguably only untrue against the aforementioned Cosmos).
It’s all a matter of getting all the pieces in the right place. So far this game within a game has proved challenging for Lagos.
One of the missing pieces is strategic. In its last two games, United has been leading deep into the closing stages of the match only to allow tying goals. Both instances resulted in 1-1 draws or, in other words, four points lost.
Had Minnesota won both those games they would currently be tied atop the league standings with New York.
Talent is by no means the issue as United sports a vetted and impressively talented back four, including two 2014 NASL XI selections. It’s clear this problem appears to be partially mental and emanates from the team as a whole.
Lagos needs to attack this problem in two manners. Firstly, he needs to play the psychological role of a coach and instill a new psyche for his players in late game scenarios. Secondly, he needs to compliment his mind melding with a late-game strategy that can benefit his team. (I cannot yet confirm rumours that the Loons have reached out to pull Mariano Rivera out of retirement.)
Now from the unique-to-soccer department: this weekend United was without its star man Miguel Ibarra, who was called up to international duty with the United States men’s squad. It’s a high-profile set of exhibitions, with the U.S. taking on the Netherlands and World Cup-holders Germany.
It’s a rare glimpse of the give-and-take that comes with having a player of preternatural talent in soccer. The limelight that Minnesota reveals in when Ibarra is mentioned among the world’s elite might not feel as warm when they fail to win in his absence.
This is obviously a rare issue, though arguably one of those “good problems” to have. As United continues to progress and mold itself into a Major League Soccer franchise the roster should continue to grow more talent, thus presenting itself even more vulnerable to this occurrence.
It’s ideal practice for Lagos should he remain in his current position come 2018 (though 2017 is still a possible MLS launch season, too). This is also why Minnesota carries the team depth it has.
Still, being without your best player and last season’s league MVP isn’t optimal. It certainly sends a ripple through team chemistry. The Spring Title may have fallen from United’s grip for this very reason.
Somewhat in accordance with Ibarra’s absence, Minnesota’s lineup remains under question.
With the back four, along with the starting striker and two holding midfielders written in Sharpie on Lagos’ teamsheet, it’s the ‘3’ in the 4-2-3-1 that sees all the changes.
Against Carolina, J.C. Banks and Daniel Mendes filled in best they could for Ibarra on the flanks. Banks scored United’s lone goal in the game, albeit from a deflected shot. The newcomer looked decent enough and will continue to try earn himself increased playing time.
Mendes scored nine goals last season and at 34 years old represents a consummate professional. Though, as his age would suggest, offers little flash or upside. This two will compete for the other wide role once Ibarra returns. Former MLSer Johnny Steele is also in the mix, though he appears to be clearly low on the pecking order at present.
The central attacking, or No. 10 role, holds the most intrigue. Kalif Alhassan grabbed the role and made it his own after being given his first-ever United start five games into the season. The Loons had yet to win a game to that point in the season. All that happened once Alhassan was inserted to the lineup was the Loons went on to win three straight games, the only three they’ve won to this point.
In all competitions, Minnesota is 3-0 when Alhassan starts and 0-4-2 when he doesn’t.
Alhassan was first benched for a midweek Open Cup game against St. Louis FC, but that appeared to be to rest a player who’d been performing well for more important matches to come. However, it has since continued for both the draws against New York and then Carolina.
The primary reason is a better alternative, at least in the eyes of Lagos, in the form of Brazilian veteran Ibson, who recently became fully healthy once again.
It’s true, the 31-year-old veteran clearly possesses the best pedigree on the team, having represented the likes of Brazil’s and Europe’s elite club teams prior. You can also see it on the pitch, as Ibson posses a touch that reveals itself as otherworldly within just a few brief minutes of viewing.
Still, the fact remains that United has yet to win with him on the pitch this season. Not to mention Alhassan’s work in those three wins speaks for itself. The Ghanaian had a vital touch in the build to goals in all three matches.
Surely there is a way to get both men on the field at the sametime? Alas, this is easier said than done. United’s formation doesn’t currently behoove this and having two players of the same position on the field can sometimes only serve to complicate things.
These are just some of the questions that Lagos and Minnesota will ponder as the Spring season finishes and the Fall season, along with the esteemed Championship, rears its head.
It’s clear as of now United is a team in transition, but it’s how they evolve that will be the tale of their campaign.