Minnesota United roughs up Everton 4-0 in international friendly

An international friendly between Minnesota United, an MLS team in its sixth season, and Everton FC, an English Premier League soccer club with a history that stretches back over 140 years, ended about as “friendly” as one can imagine — from the perspective of a Loons fan.

Minnesota trounced Everton 4-0 on Wednesday at Allianz Field and gained some confidence heading into the back end of the MLS season.

“The confidence of winning a game against a Premier League team is always nice,” United manager Adrian Heath said.

Amid a sea of blue Everton jerseys, banners and flags throughout Minnesota United’s home stadium, the Loons got the job done.

The Loons didn’t just get lucky bounces, they didn’t just hang with the Toffees through the game, they didn’t even merely outchance them occasionally. This game was a master class for Minnesota United in playing aggressive, responsible soccer that propelled the team to outplay Everton throughout the contest.

For Heath, though, this one meant just a bit more. The legendary former player for Everton was glad his current club was able to take down his old squad, even if it was a friendly and an early preseason match for the opponent.

“It was a great occasion of something we were all excited about,” Heath said. “It means so much to me to welcome Everton to the stadium.”

While the match held a certain reverence for Heath the player, Heath the manager needed to see his players play confidently to tune up for the rest of the MLS season. The Loons are 9-8-4 and fourth in the Western Conference with 31 points, but their playoff position is anything but secure with 13 matches remaining in the regular season.

Minnesota United came out firing with its complement of starters against Everton.

Although none of the stats will count toward season totals, they were still indicative of the best players Minnesota United has to offer, at least near the start of the match.

Emmanuel Reynoso, the Loons’ leading goal scorer this season, made a few quick plays with his feet to fool the Everton defenders. He then chipped a ball right into the waiting hand of a defender inside the goal box, prompting a penalty kick. It was Reynoso against Jordan Pickford, Everton’s starting goalkeeper as well as the English national team’s starter in goal. Reynoso faked left and went right for the quick goal in the 18th minute.

The good times for Reynoso didn’t last, however, because a few minutes later he went down with an ankle injury.

“He doesn’t feel it’s as bad, but we’ll have a better idea in the morning,” Heath said.

Reynoso got up and walked about the field on his own, but as soon as Heath could make a substitution, he did, keeping the long-term health of his star midfielder at top of mind with the MLS season ramping up.

Reynoso may have exited prematurely, but the rest of the first team still had work to do.

An own-goal in the 32nd minute from an Everton defender put Minnesota United up 2-0. Forward Luis Amarilla, continually increasing his impact on the field, took advantage just four minutes later to knock in a rebound of an attempted save by Pickford.

Just like that, with time to spare in the first half, Minnesota United had a 3-0 lead on a Premier League team.

The second half allowed Minnesota to play its second team, which still outchanced Everton.

“We just wanted to make sure we came in with the right attitude,” defenseman Cal Montgomery said. “We really set the tone and tried to impose our game on them as well.”

Alan Benitez, the Loons’ newest player after being signed July 12, made his debut in the second half and factored into the final goal. He sent a pass through the middle of the goalmouth that was redirected in by forward Abu Danladi.

“I thought (the second-team players) were really good,” Heath said. “They put in a lot of effort and energy.”

Finally arriving after his paperwork was processed, Benitez made an impact in his first game. That impact will be heightened as the team resumes MLS play against Houston on Saturday.

In addition to adjusting to a new player, Minnesota United will need to adjust to the absence of midfielder Wil Trapp. Heath said Trapp’s injury suffered last week could keep him out anywhere from three to five weeks.