United coach Adrian Heath looks at steady progress after third straight draw – TwinCities.com-Pioneer Press

Minnesota United is now 3 for 3 in producing 1-1 draws in preseason matches ahead of its debut Major League Soccer season, with coach Adrian Heath pleased with thesteady progress since training began Jan. 23.

The Loons latest tie came Thursday against the Vancouver Whitecaps in the first of three games in a round-robin tournament in Portland, Ore.

Midfielder Kevin Molino, who was Healths prized and pricey acquisition in late January, put the Loons ahead in the 50th minute when his corner kick deflected off of Vancouvers Erik Hurtados head and into the net.

Here are five of Heaths takeaways from the exhibition:

Heath said the Loons defense was the biggest area of improvement. We were playing a team that is in the (CONCACAF) Champions League and has really quick forwards, Heath said. There were a lot of pleasing aspects to tonights performance.

Molino was one of the most active players on the pitch,but Heath saidthere are more gears for him toupshift.

Hes still not 100 percent, Heath said. He hasnt done an awful lot of competitive football in preseason, so there is a lot more to come from (him). There were glimpses of his talent.

With the first pick in the MLS SuperDraft in January, United selected Abu Danladi, a junior striker from UCLA. On Thursday, he was involved in some physical play with Whitecaps players and got up gingerly off the Providence Park field turf at least twice.

Heath said that didnt really bother Danladi.

We can be pleased because this is a huge jump playing against Kendall Waston and and (Tim) Parker, who have a very good defensive record in Vancouver, Heath said. This is a big jump up for him from college football, but hes got a nice touch, and we think hes going to be a really good striker.

In the expansion draft in December, United traded with Montreal for attacker Johan Venegas. Heath said Venegas had a little injury when he joined United after international duty with the Costa Rican national team.

He played something like five games in 12 days or something when he was away with Costa Rica, Heath said. So we have a long, long way to go and the last thing we want to do is with how much we want to integrate him is put him under any more stress than hes been under.

United will play the Portland Timbers at 7 p.m. Sunday, and Heath said Venegas could be ready for Wednesdays match against Real Salt Lake.

Just like after the 1-1 draw with the New England Revolution on Jan. 31, Heath said Woodburys Brent Kallmanstood out.

I think Brent Kallman showed again that he has a future again in this club, Heath said.

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United coach Adrian Heath looks at steady progress after third straight draw - TwinCities.com-Pioneer Press