Minnesota United 0-3 FC Dallas: Lletget & Velasco star in second-half blitz

FC Dallas picked up a vital win in the race to make the MLS Cup Playoffs, beating Minnesota United 3-0 at Allianz Field on Saturday afternoon.

After a goalless first half in which both sides struggled to really gain a foothold, Dallas crushed their hosts in quick-time fashion, scoring three goals in the space of three second-half minutes.

A Michael Boxall own-goal in the 55th got things started, while Argentine talent Alan Velasco made it two with a beautiful curling effort in the 56th. Moments later, Velasco hit the crossbar, but Dallas recycled the chance, with Sebastian Lletget's cross finding the head of Jesus Ferreira to make it 3-0.

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Things quickly got worse for Minnesota United, who saw Franco Fragapane sent off in the 69th minute for a second yellow card offense. There was no way back for Adrian Heath's side, who quickly went into damage limitation mode.

The Loons remain fourth in the Western Conference despite this home setback, but will still be nervously looking over their shoulders at a tight Playoffs race. Dallas, meanwhile, leapfrog Saturday's opponent into third and are edging ever closer to sealing their post-season return.

Read on for full player ratings from Saturday's match:

Minnesota United vs FC Dallas player ratings

1. Minnesota United (4-2-3-1)

GK: Dayne St. Clair - 5/10 - Can't be blamed for the goals, left a bit to be desired with the ball at his feet.

RB: DJ Taylor - 5/10 - A couple of flashes in attack but largely ineffective.

CB: Michael Boxall - 2/10 - Scored an own goal and lost Ferreira for Dallas' third. A disastrous few minutes as Minnesota collapsed.

CB: Brent Kallman - 3/10 - Was solid for the first half but more than played his part in the Loons throwing this game away.

LB: Kemar Lawrence - 4/10 - A tough afternoon at both ends of the field.

CM: Robin Lod - 6/10 - Won plenty of tackles and duels but lacked any edge once he got the ball.

CM: Wil Trapp - 7/10 - About as good as it got for Minnesota, making seven tackles and four recoveries, while also creating three chances. Needed help.

LW: Bongokuhle Hlongwane - 5/10 - A few sparks in the first half but faded after the break.

CAM: Emanuel Reynoso - 5/10 - Made a bright start, but was kicked out of the game and seemed to be struggling with a knock. Subbed out just after the hour.

RW: Franco Fragapane - 1/10 - Rubbed salt into MNUFC's wounds with a second yellow card after the game got away from the hosts.

ST: Luis Amarilla - 4/10 - Unable to hold the ball up effectively and was limited to half-chances.

SUB: Mender Garcia (62', for Reynoso) - 5/10 - Never got into the game, unfortunate to come into a shell-shocked MNUFC team.

SUB: Alan Benitez (69', for Lawrence) - 6/10 - A couple of bright moments but not enough to change the game.

SUB: Kervin Arriaga (77', for Lod) - 5/10 - Unable to get going.

SUB: Jonathan Gonzalez (77', for Trapp) - 5/10 - Clean and tidy but getting minutes on the field was more important than anything else.

2. FC Dallas (4-3-3)

GK: Maarten Paes - 6/10 - One sloppy giveaway early on aside, did his job well.

RB: Ema Twumasi - 8/10 - Was almost flawless defensively and caused a ton of problems in attack, too.

CB: Nkosi Tafari - 6/10 - Not really worked too hard, got the job done.

CB: Jose Martinez - 7/10 - Solid defensively and used the ball quite well.

LB: Marco Farfan - 7/10 - Not as effective as Twumasi but got up and down the left flank well.

CM: Paxton Pomykal - 8/10 - Clean on the ball, drew lots of fouls, and always looked to get Dallas on the front foot. Mopped up well defensively.

CM: Edwin Cerrillo - 7/10 - Kept Dallas ticking with some slick passing.

CM: Sebastian Lletget - 9/10 - Grabbed a pair of assists and completed all 33 of his attempted passes. An excellent midfield showing.

RW: Paul Arriola - 7/10 - Always looked dangerous, even if he struggled to find his mark in the end.

ST: Jesus Ferreira - 8/10 - Missed a big chance in the first half but made up for it by making it 3-0. Minnesota couldn't handle his movement and pace.

LW: Alan Velasco - 9/10 - Netted a gorgeous goal from the edge of the box and hit the crossbar just moments later. What a talent!

SUB: Facundo Quignon (78', for Cerrillo) - 6/10 - Clean and tidy, helped see the game out.

SUB: Brendan Servania (78', for Pomykal) - 6/10 - As above.

SUB: Nanu (78' for Farfan) - 6/10 - Added fresh energy to the left flank.

SUB: Franco Jara (82', for Velasco) - 5/10 - Not enough time to have an effect.

SUB: Jader Obrian (82', for Arriola) - 5/10 - As above.