Minnesota United were the more dangerous team on the night, but they finished on the wrong end of a 1-0 result against German Bundesliga side Hertha Berlin in the first international friendly played at Allianz Field.
Rookie goalkeeper Dayne St. Clair played all 90 minutes for Minnesota United and he made a handful of strong saves, but in the 44th minute St. Clair parried a shot right to Hertha right back Peter Pekarik who drove home the inviting ball from inside the box.
Kevin Molino had the best chance of the match for Minnesota United when he hit the crossbar in the 36th minute after a strong attacking move down the right side found him in the box. However, Molino needed to come off the field minutes later after picking up an injury.
"I thought it was a great crowd," Minnesota head coach Adrian Heath said after the match. "I thought some of our younger players did excellent. Kevin [Molino] is the only worry. We’re hoping it’s not too bad for Kevin, but if Kev comes through unscathed tomorrow, it’s been a good evening."
Loons star Darwin Quintero replaced Molino at attacking midfield to start the second half but he could not inspire the home team to a goal.
Minnesota could not take advantage of Hertha Berlin finishing the match with 10 men when center back Florian Baak left the match minutes after a collision in the box with St. Clair. The visitors could not replace him since they had made all eight allowable subs.
Minnesota are back at Allianz Field on Saturday night for a Week 13 match against the high-flying Houston Dynamo (8 pm ET | MLS LIVE on ESPN+ in USA; MLS LIVE on DAZN in Canada).
Goals
- 44 - BER - Peter Pekarik
Lineups
Minnesota United (1st Half - 4-2-3-1, left to right): Dayne St. Clair -- Miguel Ibarra, Wyatt Omsberg, Michael Boxall, Hassani Dotson -- Collin Martin, Lawrence Olum -- Rasmus Schuller, Kevin Molino, Mason Toye -- Abu Danladi
Minnesota United (2nd Half - 4-2-3-1, left to right): Dayne St. Clair -- Hassani Dotson, Brent Kallman, Wyatt Omsberg, Collin Martin -- Jan Gregus, Lawrence Olum -- Rasmus Schuller, Darwin Quintero, Mason Toye -- Abu Danladi (68' Ethan Finlay)
Hertha Berlin (1st Half - 4-1-4-1, left to right): Thomas Kraft -- Marvin Plattenhardt, Karim Rekik, Niklas Stark, Peter Pekarik -- Fabian Lustenberger -- Salomon Kalou, Ondrej Duda, Marko Grujic, Valentino Lazaro -- Davie Selke
Hertha Berlin (2nd Half - 4-1-4-1, left to right): Dennis Smarsch -- Maximilian Mittelstadt, Karim Rekik (64' Jordan Torunarigha), Niklas Stark (64' Florian Baak), Peter Pekarik -- Per Skjelbred -- Pascal Kopke, Ondrej Duda (64' Maurice Covic), Marko Grujic, Javairo Dilrosun -- Davie Selke
