Two new players had polarizing debuts for Minnesota United on Saturday.

One experience will be cherished and recalled; the other won’t be looked back on fondly. One was historic, the other harrowing.

Striker Kelvin Yeboah scored a penalty kick and added a second goal with a delicate chip, while defender Jefferson Diaz’s sketchy actions led to two goals for Seattle in the Sounders’ 3-2 win at Allianz Field.

The Loons (9-11-6, 33 points) continue to be owned by the Sounders (11-8-7, 40 points). Seattle is now 13-1-2 against Minnesota in MLS regular-season play since 2017.

Diaz came to MNUFC in the summer transfer window from Deportivo Cali in Colombia with a reputation of being aggressive on the ball. It hurt him in the 11th minute when he attempted an unnecessary diagonal pass.

His target, Robin Lod, slipped, Seattle won the ball back and sprang a counter attack that caught Michael Boxall on a bad angle that allowed Jordan Morris to score first.

Yeboah arrived from Genoa in Italy with ultra confidence. It benefitted the Loons’ Designated Player on two memorable occasions.

When a penalty was awarded to MNUFC upon video review, Yeboah immediately pointed to his own chest to indicate he would take it. The only hesitation he showed came when he paused in his approach to the ball, forcing Stefan Frei to go to the left, and he calmly put the ball in the right side of the net.

The equalizer stood up for only four minutes before a backpedaling Diaz lost an aerial dual on Jackson Ragen’s goal in the 28th minute.

Yeboah notched his second goal in the 56th minute with a delicate chip over Frei. Wil Trapp fed a through-ball assist to spring Yeboah on goal.

With the brace, Yeboah became the first MNUFC player to score two goals in his debut.

Five other players have scored in their first match with Minnesota, including Christian Ramirez, Darwin Quintero, Luis Amarilla, Franco Fragapane and Alejandro Bran, who did it earlier this season.

For all Yeboah produced, it was still Seattle’s game. Albert Rusnak scored the winner in the 75th minute. His dribble put Lod on the turf, and he blasted a long-range shot past Dayne St. Clair.

Briefly

Fellow newcomer Matus Kmet was not included in the game-day roster. Sang Bin Jeong, who missed both Leagues Cup matches due to personal reasons, returned as MNUFC’s right wingback.