Kelvin Yeboah scored his fourth goal of the season just before halftime, leading Minnesota United to a 2-1 win over San Diego FC, who played with 10 men, on Saturday night.
Kyle Duncan also scored in the first half, and Owen Gene assisted both goals for the Loons (3-2-2, 11 points), marking their second consecutive away victory.
This win was helped by a third red card given to a San Diego player in three games, as defender Christopher McVey received a second yellow card early in the second half.
It was also McVey’s second ejection in as many matches.
Luca Bombino, 19, scored his second career MLS goal and first of the season with a powerful volley for San Diego (3-2-2, 11 points), who have not won in their last five games across competitions.
Prior to this slump, the second-year club had achieved five victories in their first six matches between MLS and CONCACAF Champions Cup play.
Duncan equalized for Minnesota in the 15th minute, eight minutes after the team fell behind.
Following a smooth series of passes on the left, Gene found Tomas Chancalay on the left flank.
Chancalay then delivered a left-footed cross to the back post, where Duncan directed it into the net with a strong header past Duran Ferree.
Yeboah later put the Loons ahead in the 40th minute, taking advantage of some hesitant defending by San Diego.
This time, Gene provided an early cross from the right to the back post, where Anthony Markanich headed it down.
As defenders reacted slowly, Yeboah capitalized on the loose ball, scoring from close range.
The situation worsened for San Diego in the opening seconds of the second half when McVey fouled Minnesota’s Nicolas Romero.
Referee Victor Rivas showed McVey another yellow card, leading to his second dismissal; he was previously sent off late in a 2-2 draw against Real Salt Lake on March 22 for similar infractions.
Despite being down a player, San Diego pushed for an equalizer, coming closest when Anders Dreyer forced Minnesota’s Drake Callendar into a leaping save late in second-half stoppage time.