Eric Ramsay’s debut as Minnesota United head coach got off to a perfect start at Allianz Field on Saturday.

Robin Lod scored in the first half, Bongi Hlongwane scored in the second and the Loons produced their first clean sheet of the season in a 2-0 win over Los Angeles FC.

Ramsay earned his first win in his first match on the sideline, and MNUFC (3-0-1, 10 points) remained undefeated through for games.

LAFC (1-2-1, 4 points) was the MLS Cup runner-up last season, but haven’t been able to rekindle last year’s pace.

The Loons took a 1-0 lead in the 16th minute. A Sang Bin Jeong free kick from 33 yards was not properly cleared by LAFC and the ball fell to Lod at the edge of the 6-yard box for an easy finish past Hugo Lloris.

Hlongwane pounced on a bad backward pass from Eddie Segura and slotted a shot past Lloris in the 88th minute.

LAFC was targeting its attack down the Loons’ left flank with Devin Padelford making his first MLS start. The 21-year-old Maplewood native had some uncertain moments and Ramsay appeared to giver him a “settle down” gesture during the first half.

LAFC attacker Denis Bouanga won the MLS golden boot with 20 goals last season. The Loons kept him with a goal to his name.

Ramsay was asked about Bouanga and LAFC’s attackers on Friday, and he said his defensive principles are broader than individual players.

“We want to be a team that is very compact and very together irrespective of how the opposition play and who the opposition players are,” Ramsay said. “That is a principle the team needs to be able to execute week in and week out.

Ramsay added it will be a standard he will “take to my grave.”

Ramsay’s new era received a special welcome from Supporters in The Wonderwall. They made a black and blue tifo for the Welshman and in the center was a creature that was part red Welsh dragon with Loons wings.

Before Ramsay’s debut, his predecessor, Adrian Heath, appeared own the Apple TV preview show. Heath, who was fired last October after nearly seven full seasons, was complementary of the Loons.

Heath said interim head coach Cameron Knowles did an “incredible job” in difficult circumstances and that Ramsay has been ‘immersed in the game” with quality experience at Manchester United and the Welsh national team.

But the 63-year-old Heath knows this role will be different for the 32-year-old Ramsay.

“One thing he will know is now its a big, big difference when you become the head man every decision, everything you say has a consequence.”

Ramsay was treated to the biggest Loons ritual, the singing of “Wonderwall.”

Ramsey said Friday he is a fan of the band Oasis and has history with “Wonderwall.” When his Loughborough University team won a British championship in 2013, they played the English band’s hit in celebration.

“That was sung after (the win),” he said Friday. And, as the night went on 10 more times.”

That song might be on repeat Saturday night as well.

Briefly

In the second half, Emanuel Reynoso made his 2024 debut after a preseason knee injury. He came on in the 60th minute and immediately showed his skill on the ball. … Ramsay didn’t make any voluntary changes to his first starting  XI and had only one forced change: Maplewood native Devin Padelford made his first MLS start at left back for Joseph Rosales (red card). … Six Loons players will head out on international duty after Saturday’s game: Teemu Pukki and Robin Lod (Finland), Michael Boxall (New Zealand), Dayne St. Clair (Canada), Rosales (Honduras) and Alejandro Bran (Costa Rica). MNUFC does not have an MLS game during the FIFA break, returning to play at Philadelphia Union on March 30. … Incoming assistant coach Dennis Lawrence received a warm send off from Coventry City after the English club beat Wolverhampton in the FA Cup on Saturday. The club is hopeful Lawrence can travel to Minnesota this upcoming week. …

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