Both Minnesota United and Inter Miami CF came into this match hovering just below playoff relevance and looking for a crucial win. With the shared need to gain momentum for the rest of the season, it was apparent that this game would be a dogfight. Well, “bird fight” might be more appropriate, as the Loons and the Herons took out their talons and took to the pitch with a vengeance. For a while it looked like Minnesota would fly away with the victory, but two late goals by Miami substitution Indiana Vassilev changed the tides and Miami secured the 2-1 win.
Inter Miami CF turned up the heat right away, and that’s not just because it was 80 degrees in DRV PNK stadium. The Herons held the bulk of the possession and even had a shot attempt within the first 45 seconds. While Miami continued to ping the ball, Minnesota struggled a bit in forging a cohesive attack that saw its share of runs, they were unable to convert.
Things turned up in the 7th minute with a strong ball over the top of the Miami defense by Kervin Arriaga. Robin Lod stayed onsides and received the ball in the box before passing it back to Emmanuel Reynoso. Rey opted for a touch too many, and ultimately lost his window for getting a shot off.
The constant back and forth of this game had to have players thanking their stars that cardio is part of the training regimen. Along with the insane amount of steps put in, the match showed a strong physical effort from both sides. Many players must be green with grass stains from the amount of time spent bodying the pitch.
An extra touch proved uneventful when in the ninth minute Luis Amarilla received the ball in the box and missed the chance to strike. Then, Minnesota picked up the pace, holding possession and looking more dangerous and better calculated in the attacking third.
However, that did not take away the strength of the Miami attack. In the 32nd minute, Leonardo Campana received a cross in the 6-yard box. Campana had a 1v1 shot attempt against Dayne St. Clair, who proved his metal once again with an amazing save.
The rest of the half was a continuation of the powerful back and forth, but ultimately the net eluded both sides of the pitch. The score at half would remain 0-0.
The second half kicked off with just as much tenacity as the first, but this time Minnesota didn’t need a warm-up period. Immediately stringing the ball together, with an onslaught of combinations up and down the field.
The 49th minute showed a promising attack by Minnesota. A dangerous cross was sent into the box and Reynoso made a dummy run to let the ball slip into better positioning. Amarilla got a solid shot off but the ball hit a Miami defender and was cleared away.
Minnesota continued to create opportunities but continued to run just shy of them. In the 55-57th minutes, there were a few great passes and ricocheted shot attempts that went right across the 6-yard box. However, they fell just out of striking reach. Just an inch more tenacity or selfishness in the box would have turned the tides for the Loons.
Miami had a very similarly dangerous play in the 57th minute, where a shot attempt rolled out near the 6, but the Herons couldn’t get a foot on the rebound. Rebound’s win games, and while that normally applies to basketball it was absolutely the case in today’s match.
In the 65th minute, Minnesota secured the first goal of the match. Reynoso crossed the ball to Franco Fragapane who scissor-kicked it to the 6. This time, Amarilla was there to bury it. Things were looking great for MNUFC for a while, and it seemed as if the road-game curse was finally lifted. That is until Indiana Vassilev subbed in for Miami.
Vassilev was the ingredient that Miami was missing. Securing two late-game goals for the Herons, he pushed Miami forward and added to the road-match struggle of Minnesota. In the 86th minute, Vassilev received a through ball around the penalty spot from Bryce Duke and tied the game.
In the 89th minute, a free kick was awarded to Miami. The ball bounced around in the Minnesota box until it found Vassilev’s feet, who threaded a solid strike into the net. There was some debate on whether or not the goal would be awarded since Bongokuhle Hlongwane was knocked to the ground as he cleared the ball. The referees decided there wasn’t enough contact to overturn the point.
With five minutes of injury time added on, Minnesota fought hard to tie it up, but their effort would go unrewarded and the final score rested at 2-1. While the Loons did lose this match, they had a lot of opportunities and looked more creative in the attacking third. Once those opportunities turn into goals, MNUFC will be a very dangerous team. Minnesota heads to the last of their 5-game road stretch on Wednesday. It’s time to capitalize and gain momentum moving into the second half of the season, and the Loons will attempt to drum it up against LA Galaxy this week.
UP NEXT
LA Galaxy vs. Minnesota United FC
Dignity Health Sports Park | Carson, CA
06.29.22 | MLS Match 17
9:30 p.m. CT (MLS Live on ESPN+, Bally Sports North, The CW-Twin Cities, 1500 ESPN)
