Loons fail maintain leads, lose late to Rapids

No matter how many times Minnesota United took the lead over the Colorado Rapids, they were unable to keep the home side out of the net. The end of the game was extremely disappointing for the Loons with a red card and last second winner boosting the Rapids to a full three points.

Adrian Heath’s formation choice was initially unclear. Though the Twitter announcement branded the squad as a 4-2-3-1, the personnel seemed more suited to a 4-3-3. Regardless, Alexi Gómez, who is likely on his way to Brazil soon, started at left back for the first time while Collen Warner and Collin Martin both started in the midfield, and Martin seemed to peel out to the left wing.

The Loons looked energized and ready to attack in the early minutes as Darwin Quintero created the bulk of the chances. Minnesota would open their account through the DP. Rasmus Schuller found an onrushing Quintero, who put a shot on target. Miguel Ibarra came flying into the scrum around the loose ball to send it rocketing toward the back of the net.

Though Minnesota was clearly the better team in the first half, the Rapids found themselves in the break and found an equalizer shortly after.

The Loons may have gone down (well, just level) but they were not out. The Quintero-Ibarra-Ramirez triangle struck gold as Superman was able to finish from a foot out.

The lead just wasn’t meant to be as the Rapids found another leveler in the form of a true impact substitution.

Miguel Ibarra’s successful day took a turn for the worse after the goal when he shoved a Rapids player. He was sent off for the play.

The remainder of the game was neither pretty nor fun as rookies Wyatt Omsberg and Mason Toye came on and the Loons fled to the bunkers.

Minnesota United will be back in action on Friday, June 29, against FC Dallas on Pride Night.