Minnesota United dominated the first half of the season opener, taking a lead on Robin Lod goal. The Loons rode their luck at times in the second half, then added an insurance goal in a 2-1 win Saturday night at Q2 Stadium in Austin, Texas.

Interim head coach Cameron Knowles earned a victory in his first match on the first-team sideline.

Alejandro Bran scored in his debut in stoppage time, and it was needed. Austin’s Guilherme Biro ruined the Loons’ clean sheet in the last kick of the game.

The Loons dominated the first half with their high press and desire to win second balls creating a bevy of openings on goal.

Austin goalkeeper Brad Stuver denied a handful of scoring chances until Lod was able to tap in a goal in the 34th minute. Sang Bin Jeong put a dangerous ball across the goal mouth, Stuver got a touch on it but not enough, as it found Lod on the back post.

Lod scored in his first game back from a season-ending knee injury last May. He had nearly scored minutes earlier after he forced Alex Ring into a turnover. But Lod put his shot off the post.

Lod’s last goal came in May 2022. That one was his 22nd in MLS, breaking a four-way tie for most goals in league play in club history.

In the opening 45 minutes, the Loons led in a handful of categories: expected goals (1.9-0.2), shots (13-2), shots on goal (7-1), corners (11-1) and crosses (9-2).

Austin was much stronger in the second half, boosted by three substitutes including Diego Rubio. Knowles countered with Tani Oluwaseyi and Bran coming in for Teemu Pukki and Lod in the 68th minute.

Knowles then called on two Minnesotans to make their MNUFC debuts: Caden Clark of Medina and Loic Mesanvi in the 81st minute.

Neither team had their Argentine attacking midfielder. Austin’s Sebastian Driussi (hamstring) and Minnesota’s Emanuel Reynoso (left knee) were both ruled out.

Knowles did not change his 4-3-3 formation from the preseason finale against Charlotte last Saturday: Franco Fragapane, Pukki, Sang Bin Jeong; Hassani Dotson, Lod, Wil Trapp; Joseph Rosales, Micky Tapias, Michael Boxall, DJ Taylor; Dayne St. Clair.

The Loons are 3-3-1 across seven season openers, including a 1-0 win over FC Dallas to begin 2023 with a five-match unbeaten run.

Briefly

— MNUFC was also without Kervin Arriaga (knee) and Bongi Hlongwane, who returned to Minnesota late this week after a lengthy trip to his native South Africa to obtain his U.S. green card.

— The Loons have yet to announce the signing of first-round draft pick Hugo Bacharach. The club is working with Villarreal to determine compensation for Bacharach, who was an academy player within the La Liga club. MNUFC expects to work that out and announce the addition of the Spanish center back soon. The club has vacant roster and international spots for him.

— MNUFC signed MNUFC2 winger Loic Mesanvi of Lakeville to a short-term loan Saturday.

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