Reports suggest Janssen, now 32, set the tone early.
That kind of finishing matters because Portland’s attack appears to have found a focal point. A striker who can punish mistakes, convert from the spot and finish transitions quickly can change the feel of a side in a hurry.
If Portland had the headline scorer, Minnesota United had the persistence.
The pattern tells its own story: Minnesota were open defensively, but dangerous enough to keep the result alive until the final whistle. A team that can erase a three-goal deficit will take encouragement from its attacking output, even in defeat.
The report also says Portland improved to 9-10-4, backed by strong home form, while Minnesota slipped to 7-8-8. Those records underline the bigger point. Portland’s cutting edge won the game, but conceding four at home is still a warning sign. Minnesota, meanwhile, created enough to win on another night, yet gave themselves too much to do.
Next up, the report says Portland host St. Louis City on Wednesday, while Minnesota are due to face FC Dallas at home. After a nine-goal thriller, the next question is simple: can either side find balance without losing the attacking spark?