The dream of a perfect start quickly faded for Minnesota United against LAFC, but rookie defender Morris Duggan isn’t dwelling on disappointment.
The young defender put in a solid shift but acknowledged that one mistake proved costly for the Loons.
Duggan’s journey to this point has been anything but straightforward. Selected in the third round (67th overall) of the 2024 MLS SuperDraft by Minnesota United, he faced visa delays that kept him from joining preseason camp on time.
Eventually, he signed a one-year deal with club options for three more seasons but had to prove himself by spending most of 2024 with Minnesota United 2 in MLS NEXT Pro.
Now back with Minnesota United, Duggan finally got his first real MLS start against LAFC, an opportunity he had been waiting for.
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What he said
For Duggan, stepping onto the pitch as a starter was a special moment, though the result was disappointing. He admitted to feeling some nerves in the buildup but credited his teammates and coaches for giving him confidence.
“I mean, definitely like the week leading up was a little bit of nerves, but once you step out there, I felt really good,” Duggan told the club media. “The guys next to me, in front of me, they really give me confidence. And the coaches gave me confidence the whole preseason.”
Despite Minnesota United’s strong defensive structure, Duggan pointed out that one moment changed everything.
“There’s one moment where we lose concentration later in the game,” he admitted. “A team like that takes advantage of it.”
Still, he saw positives in the performance. “Obviously, there’s disappointment. We did a lot of great things, and we should have at least got a point.”
You can watch the video here:
“The guys next to me … really give me confidence.”
Morris Duggan on his first start in @MLS play and the support he’s received from the rest of the squad. pic.twitter.com/TLkah4dw7p
— Minnesota United FC (@MNUFC) February 23, 2025
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How Duggan performed in the season opener
Duggan played the full 90 minutes but had the fewest touches (40) of any outfield player who completed the game. His defensive contributions were solid, making 10 clearances and winning one tackle.
However, his impact on the ball was limited, with just three passes into the final third and only one touch inside LAFC’s box.
Key stats:
- Minutes played: 90
- Pass accuracy: 85% (23/27)
- Touches: 40
- Clearances: 10
- Duels won: 4/9
- Aerial duels won: 3/7
Duggan’s defensive awareness was evident, but for Minnesota United to improve, they need to ensure focus is maintained throughout the match.
A chance to bounce back
Minnesota United will look to make things right when they host CF Montréal at Allianz Field on March 2. Duggan and his teammates now have the chance to show that they’ve learned from their season opener and can deliver a complete performance in front of their home fans.