ST. PAUL — Mason Toye scored an easy right-footed tap-in directly in front of the net in Minnesota United’s 3-2 U.S. Open Cup win over Houston on June 18. But it was so much more than that.
It was the second-year forward’s first goal for Minnesota and a late game-winner that propelled the Loons into their first U.S. Open Cup quarterfinal appearance against New Mexico United on July 10.
It was the result of consistent coaching from Adrian Heath on where and when the 20-year-old needs to run to be dangerous in front of the net.
“That is something that Adrian has been harping on since I’ve gotten here,” said Toye, the 2018 MLS SuperDraft seventh pick out of Indiana University.
When Ethan Finlay made a long run near the sideline in the 89th minute and beat his defender to the end line, Toye moved to a yard away from the net, ready for the pinpoint centering pass.
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“We know he has the physical capabilities to get there, but it’s picking them moments in the game to realize that,” Heath said Monday. “He was perfect. It was a classic striker’s goal. Now can continue to pick that up and keep doing it on a regular basis?”
Toye is expected to get another opportunity in Minnesota’s friendly match with USL affiliate Forward Madison at Breese Stevens Field on Tuesday night. The Loons are gearing up for a return to MLS action against FC Cincinatti at 3 p.m. Saturday at Allianz Field.
On his first goal, Toye said last year he probably would have been yards away, maybe as far back as the penalty spot.
“I don’t think I’m making that darting run or I might be running into a (defender),” Toye said. “I think me being smarter and proactive in my movements is something that I’ve worked at and have gotten better.”
As a rookie, Toye played as a sub in 10 of Minnesota’s opening 16 games last season, assisting on a goal in his second appearance. He also scored one goal in five games on loan with the Colorado Springs Switchbacks last summer.
This year, he has appeared in one MLS game as a sub in the Loons’ first 16 games. He also has been held off the scoresheet in seven games while on loan for Madison this season.
“It is a little bit tough not being able to play for the first team,” Toye said. “But this year, I’ve been able to get a lot more games with Madison, even though I haven’t been able to put the numbers up, just in terms of confidence and being able to play and get my fitness, that’s been a lot more beneficial than playing 15, 20 minutes at a time.”
Loon all-star
Minnesota United right back Romain Metanire has been named Monday to the 2019 MLS All-Star Game.
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Metanire was named to the 26-player squad by All-Star Game and Orlando City head coach James O’Connor. The MLS side will play Atletico Madrid of Spain’s La Liga at 7 p.m. July 31 at Exploria Stadium in Orlando, Fla.
Metanire leads MLS defenders with six assists this season, adding one goal in 14 games. He joined United in the offseason from Stade de Reims in France’s Ligue 1. With Minnesota, Metanire has been named to four MLS teams of the week.
Metanire is currently away from Minnesota on international duty with the Madagascar national team. He played in a 2-2 draw with Guinea in an Africa Cup of Nations game on Saturday and has two more games scheduled in that tournament, Thursday against Burundi and Sunday versus Nigeria.
Metanire is the third Loons player all-time to be named an all-star, following Darwin Quintero and Francisco Calvo in 2018.
Briefly
On Monday, midfielder Rasmus Schuller returned to United training for the first time after playing for Finland’s national team in European Championship qualifying earlier in June.
Forward Abu Danladi (hamstring) was back in full training Monday and could feature Tuesday in Madison.
With Trinidad and Tobago eliminated from advancing in the Gold Cup, midfielder Kevin Molino will be with his national team for their last Gold Cup group-stage game against Guyana on Wednesday and expected to return to Minnesota on Thursday. He could be available to play against Cincinnati on Saturday.
