Lesson learned, if belatedly.
Minnesota United coach Adrian Heath urged Ján Gregus to score more from distance his first time around with the team. On Sunday, the recently reacquired central midfielder needed a mere 15 minutes to score the eventual winning goal in a 2-0 victory at New York City FC.
Subbed into the game for injured attacker Bongokuhle Hlongwane just before halftime, Gregus goal just after it — in the 53rd minute — stood up on a night both teams returned from their five-week break from MLS play for the Leagues Cup.
It was the Loons' sixth MLS road victory, four more than the two they've won at Allianz Field so far. The three points earned also moved them over the playoff line and into ninth place in the Western Conference.
They won on the road again despite losing Leagues Cup scoring sensation Hlongwane in the 39th minute because of a knee injury. They also subbed out star midfielder Emanuel Reynoso in the 68th minute after his training during the week was limited because of a swollen, painful ankle. Heath also didn't want to risk a second yellow card to go with the one Reynoso had acquired six minutes earlier.
Heath called Reynoso's removal "a precaution" with a big game against Seattle up next.
Before Sunday's game, Heath told the media and his players they need five victories — or maybe six — in the team's remaining 12 games to reach the playoffs for the fifth consecutive season.
"Six wins now on the road," Heath said afterward. "That's something we can be proud of. It gives us a good chance."
Gregus scored two goals in 63 regular-season games with the Loons during three seasons, starting as a designated player in 2019. His last goal scored as a Loon was March 2020.
On Sunday, he scored one in a hurry.
The Loons traded a 2024 second-round draft pick and $75,000 general allocation money early this month to Nashville after Kervin Arriaga's season-ending knee injury required surgery. Sunday's game was Gregus' first game back with his former team.
"I'm very glad it went behind the goalkeeper," Gregus said.
Arriaga's surgery revealed less damage than feared and Heath left open the possibility he could return this season within six to eight weeks if the Loons make the playoffs. Heath said he'll know more early this week. "Hopefully it's not too serious," Heath said.
Second-half substitute Mender García made it 2-0 with a goal five minutes into stoppage time after NYCFC pushed forward seeking the tying goal.
Gregus said his job as a central midfielder to connect the team's attackers with its defenders doesn't always give him the opportunity to shoot and score.
"Of course, I have the ability to shoot from long distance," Gregus said. "It depends what position you're on the field at any given moment. Sometimes it's difficult to get into those positions regularly. But I definitely have the ability. I would like to contribute like that more, for sure."
NYCFC forward Julián Fernández drew a whistled foul from Loons defender Micky Tapias inside the 6-yard box in the 84th minute, but video review ruled no penalty kick.
Fernández earlier missed an open goal with a short-range shot. Not long after that, Loons keeper Dayne St. Clair saved an own goal while on the ground when he reached for a rolling ball that deflected off center back Michael Boxall and stopped it just before the goal line.
"He has come up big tonight," Heath said. "He made the save we expect him to make. The unflashy saves were some of the most important. The save on the line was excellent because he didn't give up on the play."
NYCFC hadn't played a game since Aug. 3 after it lost a a first-round Leagues Cup knockout game 1-0 to rival New York Red Bulls.
The Loons played five Leagues Cup games, reaching the quarterfinals before they lost at Nashville 5-0. playing a man short for most of it. They advanced with Chicago out of their three-team group and beat Columbus and Toluca of Mexico's Liga MX, both in penalty-kick shootouts.
The Star Tribune did not send the writer of this article to the game. This was written using a broadcast, interviews and other material.
