Recap: Angelo Rodriguez’s hat trick highlights evening of goals at Allianz Field

A first half hat trick from Angelo Rodriguez helped the Loons tower over USL Championship side, New Mexico United, in the quarterfinals of the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup.

The guests opened up the scoring in the fifth minute off of a set piece goal. Following New Mexico’s opening goal, the Loons ran riot in the first half, totaling five goals at the break.

The United offense gained momentum in the 10th minute of play when a Hassani Dotson cross found the head of Angelo Rodriguez who smashed it home. No less than five minutes later, Quintero found the back of the net after crashing an Angelo Rodriguez shot that was palmed away by New Mexico Goalkeeper Cody Mizell.

(Photo by Seth Steffenhagen/Steffenhagen Photography)

In a short stint of ten minutes, the Loons found themselves with a two goal lead after Rodriguez scored a brace eighteen minutes in to make the score 3-1.

Highlighting the first half however, was a driven free kick goal from Jan Gregus. The Slovakian designated player scored his second goal in a United uniform, with it being his first at Allianz.

The Loons led their guests 5-1 at the break after a 45th minute hat trick goal from Angelo Rodriguez.

After a slow start to the second half, the Loons scored yet again. This time, it was longtime winger Miguel Ibarra with the goal. He rounded the goalkeeper for a simple pass into the center of the net; his first at Allianz Field and his second of the season.

Mason Toye, Eric Miller and Ethan Finlay were all subbed onto the pitch in the second half as well.

This was Minnesota’s sixth straight win, and they now have scored 26 goals in their last six matches.

The Loons play the winner of LAFC-Portland in the semifinals of the Open Cup on August 7, while the draw to host the match is tomorrow, Thursday July 10.