Metro dominates Minnesota, 3:0
March 24, 2018
This year, so far, so good, right? Sure, there was a setback last week (can't win them all), but can't really complain, can we? The opponent tonight wasn't exactly fearsome, but so what? Metro shook off early jitters to completely take over the match, wiping the floor with Minnesota 3:0. Alex Muyl opened the scoring, with Bradley Wright-Phillips adding two to his ever-growing tally.
Jesse Marsch reverted to a three-man backline, with the removal of international absentee Fidel Escobar. Florian Valot got his first MLS appearance at the expense of fellow Frenchman Vincent Bezecourt. Sean Davis, Daniel Royer, Muyl, and BWP all returned to the starting lineup as Tyler Adams was away with the national team, Alejandro Romero Gamarra was held out as a precaution, and Carlos Rivas was benched.
After Minnesota has most of the ball early, but a Metro goal ended any thoughts of an upset. It happened 15 minutes into the game, as Muyl cut into the box. The much-maligned midfielder took a shot from the right side that curved through the penalty area and slotted past the hopeless Minnesota goalkeeper.
In the 42nd, a Sean Davis free kick was headed inside the box by Tim Parker. Wright-Phillips picked the ball out of the air and beautifully redirected it into the net. Minutes later, it looked like Royer scored, but the goal was called back for a phantom off-the-ball foul.
In the second half, BWP hit the post on a subtle redirect, but wasn't denied in the 78th. Muyl played provider, with a wonderful through ball that was placed behind the Minnesota defense and picked up by BWP. The Englishman's deft touch set the final margin, 3:0.
The defense, anchored by Tim Parker and Aaron Long, was wonderful throughout, and Marc Rzatkowski controlled the midfield with crisp runs and passes. Stefano Bonomo made his first-team debut as a late sub, this after being drafted three years ago.
So... good.
Lineup: Robles, Lade, Long, Parker, Duncan, Rzatkowski, Davis, Valot, Muyl, Royer, Wright-Phillips. Subs: Etienne, Rivas, Bonomo.
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