Louis (1-1) and L.A. Galaxy (2-2) in the last two weeks.Storyline: The Loons’ consecutive defeats to Nashville (3-1 on March 7) and Vancouver (6-0 on March 15) were an early test to new head coach Cameron Knowles’ tenure. But the stakes didn’t seem heightened to striker Kelvin Yeboah.“I think (Knowles’ reaction) was right in the middle … not being too upset with the team but also not being too passive,” Yeboah said after scoring his fifth goal of the season on Saturday.

“He really helped … give us the tips, and be proactive and build the connection.”Knowles saw the players take ownership for the Whitecaps blowout, the most-lopsided defeat in club history.“They knew they were better than that,” Knowles said Tuesday. “They know that performance was a blip on the radar. I think the big thing for us as a staff was just to provide some stability and help provide a structure that starts getting us closer to where we want to be again.”Knowles didn’t see it as a pivotal position for himself, but he pointed out the hard start to the season.

Nashville and Vancouver lead each conference.“One, it is stepping back and taking a broad look at things,” he said.Knowles is becoming known for an even-keel approach as a manager, expect in one setting.“He’s honest,” goalkeeper Drake Callender said Tuesday. “He’s confident. He gives us direction when we need it: How we play, the mentality to approach each game.

His pregame talks get everyone fired up. I think when guys see that and they feel it from him, I think it makes it easy for us to go out there and play the game.”Stats: Minnesota has stacked three straight clean sheets in St. Paul to start the season, which is one off the club record of four across July and August 2019.Absences: Carlos Harvey (lower-body injury) is out weeks after a collision with a teammate in Friday’s training session.

Michael Boxall (adductor) and Julian Gressel (foot) are out.Scouting report: The Loons’ attention on Wednesday must center on Dallas forward Petar Musa, who leads the MLS golden boot race with nine goals, two more than Leo Messi and Sam Surridge. The former Benfica player, who went to Dallas for a club-record $9.7 million fee, scored 18 goals a year ago and 16 in 2024.“He’s a real handful,” Knowles said. “They are a good team around him, as well.

They put crosses into the box. (At 6-foot-3,) he’s a great target for that. He’s a really good finisher. They are aggressive in the way that they press as well.

They like to play the game in the opposition’s half and try to pin you in there.”Prediction: Wednesday’s game pits two hot teams with humming attacks, so multiple goals seem likely. If there is a slight edge, it’s with Dallas, given Musa’s hot start and them being unbeaten in six home games to start the year. Loons earn a 2-2 draw.