Minnesota United FC 2, Vancouver Whitecaps FC 2 | 2017 MLS Match Recap

Colin Stephenson

Things didn't look good for Minnesota United FC when a goal in stoppage time at the end of the first half put them down two. But a pair of goals from defenders helped the Loons rally for a 2-2 draw with Vancouver Whitecaps FC Saturday night at TCF Bank Stadium.

Goals by Cristian Techera, on a penalty, and Tony Tchani, in the dying seconds of the first half, had put visiting Vancouver ahead, 2-0 at the break. But Francisco Calvo's header got the Loons on the board in the 50th minute, and Jerome Thiesson hit the equalizer in the 63rd to give Minnesota a two-game unbeaten streak.

Goals

17' – VAN – Cristian Techera (PK) Watch
45+2' – VAN – Tony Tchani Watch
50' – MIN – Francisco Calvo Watch
63' – MIN – Jerome Thiesson Watch

Three Things

THE BEST OFFENSE IS A GOOD DEFENSE? Normally, Christian Ramirez provides most of the offense for Minnesota United, but it's always good when your defenders can chip in a goal here and there. This time, the Loons got both goals from their back line, one on a pretty header by Francisco Calvo and the other on a seeing eye shot through a crowd and into the corner by Jerome Thiesson.

EMPTY POSSESSION: Minnesota United had 73.2 percent of the possession and outshot Vancouver 17-11 in the game. But the Loons' possession did not translate into goals, which is what the game is all about. Ramirez had two shots in the game, one on target.

HE GAVE IT THE OLD COLLEGE TRY:
Minnesota United defender Brent Kallman took a knock in the first half and managed to finish out the stanza. He started the second half, but came off in the 47th minute. Not the way you want to start the second half, when you're already down two goals.