Loons continue to struggle at home in 1-0 loss to Colorado

Minnesota United continues to underwhelm at Allianz Field.

The Loons dropped all three points in St. Paul in a 1-0 loss to Colorado Rapids on Wednesday and MNUFC fell to 2-2-2 at home this season.

MNUFC (6-4-3, 21 points) also lost a 2-1 lead in a 2-2 draw with Austin FC on Sunday.

Colorado (5-7-1, 16 points) had scored only one goal in its previous four MLS games, but did the minimum to pull out the Western Conference win.

The Loons trailed 1-0 at the half after Rafael Navarro scored in the 26th minute. Paxten Aaronson beat Owen Gene in midfield and Jefferson Diaz’s positioning allowed Navarro to remain onside and have acres of space to beat goalkeeper Drake Callender.

Minnesota had the first early scoring chance in the 12th minute when Joaquín Pereyra started a breakaway down the left channel for Kelvin Yeboah, but the Loons striker gave the ball away when trying to get it onto his favored right foot.

In the 29th minute, James Rodriguez’s shot from outside the box hit the upper left corner of the woodwork. Then Rodriguez’s passed to Anthony Markanich, but Markanich’s that shot also hit the frame.

Minnesota head coach Cameron Knowles made five changes to the starting lineup after the 2-2 home draw with Austin FC on Sunday.

James started his final game with United; he will leave MNUFC after the game to join Colombia’s men’s national team to prep for the World Cup and won’t return to Minnesota for the second half of the MLS season.

James exited in the 63rd minute, capping his MLS stint with no goals and two assist in 195 minutes across six appearances.

Michael Boxall, who will join New Zealand for the World Cup, made his first start since the Loons’ home opener on Feb. 28. The center back missed eight straight MLS games with an adductor injury, but subbed in the previous two matches.