It was a tough game to swallow at Allianz Field, as Minnesota United fell to Austin FC by a score of 4-1. Despite some positive play early on, nothing was clicking for the home side tonight in the important moments. 

After the initial settling-in period, the Loons’ attack picked up the pace. Crosses came into the box left and right, with several breakaways starting with turnovers in Austin’s defensive third. Unfortunately, nothing found the back of the net, and chance after chance went begging. 

30 minutes in, the Black and Blue had thoroughly dominated the game, keeping El Tree from registering a single shot on goal. Moments of brilliance from Rey and Bongi proved fruitless, but served as encouraging signs of things to come. 

In any soccer game, you have to score when you’re on top; otherwise, you leave yourself vulnerable to falling prey to bad luck. All of their missed chances came back to bite the Loons in the 35th minute, when some particularly silky play from Austin’s suddenly competent attack saw the visitors go up 1-0.

Though the Loons kept the pressure up, a close call in the 42nd minute gave Austin a penalty kick that was somehow upheld by VAR. Sebastian Driussi dispatched coolly from the spot to double the lead. 

Despite an enterprising start to the game, MNUFC found themselves down 2-0 at the half. The scoreline may not have reflected the play on the field, but nonetheless, there was a hole that needed digging out of. 

The start to the second 45 didn’t inspire the comeback that the home crowd wanted, with Driussi finishing off a cross in the 52nd minute to put the Black and Verde up 3-0. The Loons were visibly frustrated following the third goal, but with almost 40 minutes left to play, they continued to push. 

The only positives in the second half came after the 56th minute, when Devin Padelford, Ismael Tajouri-Shradi, and Teemu Pukki came on to try to inject some energy into the team. The two debutants and the local lad certainly showed some spirit, but the game was already gone.

Pukki’s debut appearance was encouraging, with the striker showing his quality quickly. Unfortunately, his first MNUFC goal will have to wait. On the other hand, Devin Padelford notched his first MLS goal in the 85th minute, giving Loons fans something positive to cling to from the night. The Maplewood Marcelo deserved a better night for his first goal, but it was a nice moment nonetheless. 

Austin wrapped the game up with another goal in the 95th minute, ending the night on a sour note for the Loons and leaving MNUFC with plenty to talk about this week at training. 

The Loons will be back in action in Houston this Wednesday as they seek to bounce back from this tough loss. 

UP NEXT

Houston Dynamo vs. Minnesota United FC

Shell Energy Stadium | Houston, Texas

07.12.23 | MLS Game 21

7:30 pm CT (Watch on AppleTV’s MLS Season Pass)