Minnesota United FC 2, New York City FC 1 | 2018 MLS Match Recap

Jose Romero

An Angelo Rodriguez brace powered Minnesota United FC to its second upset of a playoff-bound or playoff-contending team in two games, with Saturday's 2-1 win over New York City FC at TCF Bank Stadium.

The Loons, trying to keep their miniscule postseason hopes alive, are unbeaten in three matches and improved to 10-4-1 at home this season. They played the final 20-plus minutes with 10 men after Collen Warner was shown a second yellow card and sent off.

Minnesota United, for the second straight week and also at home, built a strong first-half lead only to have to sweat out a second half against an upper-echelon club. But once again, they secured three points, this time only after a rebound goal for Rodney Wallace of New York City FC in the first minute of second half added time.

Rodriguez headed in Miguel Ibarra's cross in stride for the Loons in the 20th minute. The Loons got their two-goal lead before the half when NYCFC's Ben Sweat was too casual on a back pass toward goalkeeper Sean Johnson, and Rodriguez pounced on the miscue for an easy goal in the 36th minute.

New York City FC has already clinched a playoff spot but has only five points from their last seven games.

Goals

20’ — MIN — Angelo Rodriguez | WATCH
36’ — MIN — Angelo Rodriguez | WATCH
90+1’ — NYC — Rodney Wallace | WATCH

Three Things

THE BIG PICTURE: The Loons lived to fight another week for their playoff lives, although elimination is perilously imminent. They need to almost certainly win their last four games and get some help from other teams. Still, they surpassed their win total of 10 last season with No. 11 on Saturday, with still four games to play. For New York City FC, their loss assured the rival New York Red Bulls a first-round bye in the East playoffs.

MOMENT OF THE MATCH: The turnover, which led to what was the most important goal of the game.