The Loons entered into Saturday evening’s showdown in Sandy, Utah with a little rest from the previous week and Emanuel Reynoso back in the starting XI for the first time this season. On the flipside, MNUFC would come into the matchup without starters Dayne St Clair and Kemar Lawrence, as they remain on international duty for their respective home countries. In their absence, it would be Clint Irwin and Zarek Valentin stepping into duty for the Black and Blue. And, all the boys would be in for a battle in which they hung tough against an RSL barrage that ended up breaking even in the dying minutes of a nine(!) minute stoppage period to end a gutty performance with a 2-2 draw.

While RSL would start off the game a bit faster in the early minutes of the first half, it would be a controversial call reversal courtesy of VAR that would wipe out an RSL penalty attempt in the 18th minute and spark a swing in energy that resulted in a pair of first-half scores for the Loons. In the 27th minute, the momentum RSL had generated quickly swung Minnesota’s way when Reynoso was able to use some fancy footwork before putting a short cross to the center of the box. RSL goalkeeper Zac MacMath was able to deflect the initial Reynoso cross, but after batting the ball away a second time, it was midfielder Hassani Dotson who would find himself in the right place at the right time to hammer the ball top shelf. 1-0, good guys.

It wouldn’t be too long after when the Loons would add to their advantage. That came in the 39th minute of play, when an absolute dime of a cross from Sang Bin Jeong to a streaking and sliding Emanuel Reynoso. He would gracefully slide into the pass and leave MacMath standing in wet cement without a chance to stop el Rey’s slide n’ score. 2-0, bird is the word.

RSL wasn’t about to go away and hand the boys three points, though. And, the second half would take on a whole different tone for the Loons, as they leaned on their defensive squad to hold RSL at bay. Which they would do for the majority of the second half. In the 49th minute, the boys would dodge an initial bullet when RLS midfielder Pablo Ruiz’s goal would again be waved off after another VAR conclusion of offside on the home team.

The Loons center backs would dig in their heels as RSL would be on the ball for a large majority of the second half. The home team would throw everything they had at Irwin and the Loons backs, with quality attempts on goal from RSL’s Justen Glad and Jefferson Savarino in the midst of the second half. But, it would forward Danny Musovski that would expose the first crack in the armor when his laser from outside the box would find the net in the 79th minute. 1-2, still the good guys.

There was no let up from RSL on the attack, as they had now drawn closer and continued firing on Irwin into the waning minutes of the full 90 minutes. But, with an excessive nine-minute stoppage period to withstand, it would be defender Justen Glad’s left foot that would draw RSL even with a minute plus remaining in stoppage time and, ultimately, send the Loons home with one point instead of three, leaving the lads feeling less than thrilled with the end result.

Now, it’s time for the Loons to starting thinking like goldfish and moving past the draw in Sandy, as they look ahead in search of redemption against the Portland Timbers, July 1st, back home at Allianz Field. But, before that, a friendly with our visitors from German side, FC Kaiserslautern Wednesday night, at Allianz Field, kickoff 7:30pm

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Minnesota United vs. FC Kaiserslautern 

Allianz Field | St Paul, Minnesota

06.28.23 | International Friendly

7:30 pm CT