Minnesota United has endured rough patches throughout its year-plus existence in MLS, but on Sunday in Seattle, the Loons will look to dodge a new low: a four-match losing streak.

To start this season, the Loons showed progress from last season’s 10-18-6 record by winning two of its opening three games — including a road win that last year’s expansion side didn’t accomplish until late August. But since March 24, the Loons have lost three straight games, matching the club’s worst skid since June 3-17 last season.

While the absences of five starters loomed over the 3-0 loss to New York Red Bulls to start this stretch, coach Adrian Heath said it’s been difficult to stomach the past two losses — 1-0 to Atlanta at TCF Bank Stadium and 3-2 to the Timbers in Portland — because he felt like the Loons were the better team in both matches.

Tying the three losses together is difficult because they conceded an own goal and couldn’t score on their own against 10-men Atlanta for nearly an hour. Then against the Timbers, new playmaker Darwin Quintero helped the Loons end a 268-minute scoreless drought — but only after Minnesota had given up three goals to Portland.

“I don’t think Portland had to work hard enough for their three goals,” Heath said Tuesday. “… But we’ve seen enough in them games to show with our ball retention, circulation and ideas going forward, we look as though we can create problems for the opposition.”

Heath characterized the defensive errors as individual in nature. Goalkeeper Matt Lampson, left back Marc Burch and left center back Francisco Calvo were all in the picture on goals that produced a 2-0 deficit in the first 30 minutes of Saturday’s game in Portland.

FULLBACK CHANGES

New loanee Alexi Gomez could arrive from Peru as soon as Thursday, but it’s probably too much to expect him to be ready to play against the Sounders (0-3-1) at CenturyLink Field on Sunday. Gomez is a left-footed player who can play multiple positions, but indications are he will get his first crack at the starting XI at left back.

Marc Burch didn’t train with the team Tuesday because of what was being called a knee injury. Against Portland, he was subbed out for rookie Carter Manley at halftime. Right back Tyrone Mears (calf) missed the Timbers game and rehabbed on the side Tuesday.

Heath said any potential lineup changes wouldn’t be considered until later in the week.

“The one thing I want to make sure is keep up the belief in the group because when I look back at where we were at this time last year to where we are now, apart from the Red Bull game, I honestly think in terms of football, we’ve probably been as good as who we’ve played,” Heath said. Related Articles Loons’ Adrian Heath, Kei Kamara believe they can strike simpatico partnership

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BELL BANK GATE

United announced Tuesday that Bell Bank Gate will be the Southwest entrance to Allianz Field when the St. Paul stadium opens in 2019. The bank’s 10-year partnership will include a Man of the Match honor to a Loons player after every game. They will be gifted a $1,000 check to give to the charity of their choice.

During an event at the bank’s headquarters in Golden Valley, Loons goalkeeper Matt Lampson was gifted a $10,000 check to benefit his LampStrong Foundation, which helps cancer patients and survivors. Lampson expected a $1,000 check and was surprised to see the enlarged check held an extra zero. He plans to direct the money to local causes, including his budding partnership with the University of Minnesota Masonic Children’s Hospital.

RECKLESS CHALLENGE

United has reached out to MLS about Timbers player Alvas Powell’s studs-up challenge that connected with Quintero’s leg in the second half. The league could make an announcement about punishing Powell later this week.

“I think everybody saw it on the night that it was a reckless challenge, and it should have been a red card,” Heath said. “Nothing I saw at the weekend convinces me of anything different.”

Heath also thought forward Christian Ramirez should have been on the receiving end of a penalty kick when he appeared to be pulled down in the box.

ICC SET

The International Champions Cup match between Tottenham of the English Premier League and AC Milan of Italy’s Serie A will be at 7:30 p.m. July 31 at U.S. Bank Stadium, the tournament announced Tuesday.

This is the third visit for the preseason circuit of renowned European clubs. Manchester City and Olympiacos played at TCF Bank Stadium in 2014; Chelsea and AC Milan played in U.S. Bank Stadium’s first sporting event in 2016.