Jan Gregus set a franchise record with three assists in Minnesota United’s 7-1 victory over FC Cincinnati on Saturday. Asked Tuesday about his favorite, he picked one he didn’t actually get.

“The first (goal),” Gregus said before breaking into laughter. “So, there was four!”

Yes, the Loons midfielder could well have tied an MLS record.

Gregus and head coach Adrian Heath felt his 18th-minute free kick went directly to Ike Opara, who pushed the ball into the goal with his midsection for a 1-0 lead at Allianz Field. MLS ruled Gregus’ bouncing ball deflected off Cincinnati goalie Spencer Richey, keeping him from tying Landon Donovan and four others for the league record of four assists in one game.

Instead, Gregus had to settle for assists to Hassani Dotson, Mason Toye and Opara. “I was happy for the boys that they scored beautiful goals,” he said.

United can be increasingly pleased with the play of Gregus, the club’s third Designated Player. His performance Saturday might have been his best yet. He completed 49 of 51 passes and helped Minnesota become the seventh team in MLS history to score seven or more goals in a game.

“I think he’s getting better,” Heath said. “I’ve never had any worries about him; he has everything you need as a midfield player. He can cover distance. He can cover ground. He’s quicker than people think. He’s got good feet, great range of passing and now the set-piece thing is coming along.

“He’s taken a little bit to get to the level that he’s at now, but I expect him to go from strength to strength.”

United’s offensive outburst and Gregus’ emergence comes at an opportune time, with MLS’ hottest club, the San Jose Earthquakes, visiting Allianz Field at 7 p.m. Wednesday.

The Earthquakes are unbeaten in their past six MLS games (4-0-2) and have adjusted to new coach Mathias Almeyda’s unique man-marking style of defense.

“I think the most important thing is our ball retention and ball circulation, if you like, is going to be huge because they play man-for-man virtually all over the field,” Heath said. “If you want to stand still and play stationary football, that is what they want. When you move the ball quickly and people are making runs off the ball, that is when it becomes difficult for them.”

This means Gregus will be pivotal in the middle of the field on Wednesday. “Obviously, it’s going to be harder than Cincinnati, we have to say,” he said. “We like challenges, so it’s going to be a good game, I hope.”

Minnesota acquired Gregus as its third DP to upgrade control of play from box to box. Along with one goal, Gregus now has seven assists — top 10 in MLS.

American Soccer Analysis shared Tuesday it has given Gregus high marks in ball security and his involvement in games, with his lowest ratings for passing quality. Across 15 games, Gregus is 59th in the league with 86.2 passing percentage but sits at 17th with 61.9 passes per game and 20th with 1.9 key passes per game, according to whoscored.com.

“Like all good players, he just gets on with the job,” Heath said. “He knows what his job is, doesn’t expect a pat on the back for stuff that he expects to do.”

While Gregus didn’t get credited with a fourth assist last Saturday, United saw what it needed in that play. His free kick was lofted into a dangerous area in front of goal. Before Opara connected, Minnesota had the second-fewest goals from set pieces this season.

“I think the one thing that I know has frustrated a lot of people, me included, has been consistently the delivery, whether it be Darwin (Quintero) or it be Jan,” Heath said. “I think the last few weeks our service from set pieces has been outstanding. It’s causing teams a problem because one thing we do have is good size and athleticism if we get it in the right areas.”