In a game that saw a bit of everything, Minnesota United FC ended up holding off the Portland Timbers to claim a wild 3-2 win Wednesday evening at TFC Bank Stadium.
Minnesota took the early lead after a run of pressure led to a hard cross from Sam Cronin which was knocked in for an own goal by Portland's Amobi Okugo. The Timbers drew even a half hour later on a penalty kick by Diego Valeri after he was taken down in the box by goalkeeper Bobby Shuttleworth.
The teams then traded early goals to start the second, starting Christian Ramirez timing his run in the box to receive a nice through ball from Kevin Molino. Ramirez took a touch and lifted it over Portland 'keeper Jeff Attinella for his ninth goal of the year. The Timbers came right back to tie it once again with some help, as Vytas' cross was deflected in by Loons' centerback Francisco Calvo.
Minnesota took its final lead when Abu Danladi found a ball on his feet that Attinella failed to punch out and the rookie put it away. Both teams played the final 20 minutes with 10 men after Danladi and Portland's Sebastian Blanco were each shown red cards on a challenge on each other.
Goals
- 7' - MIN - Amobi Okugo (own goal) WATCH
- 37' - POR - Diego Valeri (PK) WATCH
- 47' - MIN - Christian Ramirez WATCH
- 50' - POR - Francisco Calvo (own goal) WATCH
- 64' - MIN - Abu Danladi WATCH
Three Things
- GOALS, ANY WAY: After being shut out in the last three games, Minnesota will take goals any way they come. And after being on the wrong end of some defensive miscues, tonight the Loons were also able to take advantage of their opponent's errors on the backline. First there was the own goal, and then Timbers' center back Roy Miller gambled while 'lightly' marking Ramirez, only to be beat on the offside trap for the game's second goal. And finally, Danladi had a gift fall to him after Attinella's attempt to punch away a cross failed.
- TIMBERS TINKER: While Minnesota used the same XI from its last game, Portland - perhaps with an eye towards the big rivalry match with Seattle on Sunday - made five changes to the side that fell in Colorado over the weekend. Four of the changes were defensively, including Attinella replacing Jake Gleeson. That said, Vytas replaced Marco Farfan to start the second half. Now, with Roy Miller picking up a caution that will see him suspended for accumulation, and Blanco also set to miss the weekend match, more changes are on their way.
- LONG WAY FROM MARCH: Things did not start out well for the Loons in the MLS debut back on March 3, as the Portland Timbers claimed the convincing 5-1 win to open the 2017 season. Things got worse before they got better, but tonight's rematch showed that Minnesota have found their footing. Heading into the weekend, the Loons sit only three points below the red line as they approach the halfway mark.
Next Up
- MIN: Saturday, June 24 – vs. Vancouver Whitecaps (8 pm ET | MLS LIVE)
- POR: Sunday, June 25 – vs. Seattle Sounders (10 pm ET | ESPN2 / ESPN Deportes)
