Minnesota United FC 2, Montreal Impact 0 | 2018 MLS Match Recap

Much has changed at Minnesota United over the years, but "Superman" and "Batman" persevere.

Longtime fan favorites Christian Ramirez and Miguel Ibarra, stars of both the NASL and MLS eras in Minnesota, bagged the goals as the Loons defeated the visiting Montreal Impact 2-0 in a battle of MLS strugglers at TCF Bank Stadium Saturday night. 

The two sides, who entered the weekend in 17th and 19th place in the overall league standings, pressed and probed in a scoreless first half before Ramirez opened the scoring seven minutes after the break. Ibson created the chance, intercepting an Alejandro Silva pass out of Montreal's defensive end and feeding Ramirez, whose low shot was deflected but not denied by goalkeeper Evan Bush.

Six minutes later Ibarra gave the hosts some breathing room, lofting a gorgeous left-footed finish into the top corner from the top of the penalty area. It was just the second clean sheet of the year for the Loons, while the Impact have now lost eight of their last nine.

Goals:

• 52' – MIN – Christian Ramirez | Watch
• 58' – MIN – Miguel Ibarra | Watch

Three Things

THE BIG PICTURE: The jitters brought on by their recent difficulties were evident on both sides in this one, and in the end home-field advantage and some moments of quality from their key players did the job for Minnesota.

MOMENT OF THE MATCH: Ramirez's strike was technically the game-winner, yet it was Ibarra's golazo that inspired the vocal home support and gave them something to marvel at.

MAN OF THE MATCH:
Ibson and 
Francisco Calvo
were influential in deeper roles;
Miguel Ibarra
takes the prize, though, for his goal as well as a high work rate and pass completion rate of nearly 90 percent.
May 27, 2018

Up Next

• MIN: Sunday, June 3 at Sporting KC (8:30 pm ET | FS1 - TV & streaming info)
• MTL: Saturday, June 2 vs. Houston Dynamo (7:30 pm ET | TVAS2, ESPN+ - TV & streaming info)