Recap: Minnesota Ties Pachuca 2-2

Minnesota United tied Pachuca on Saturday night 2-2, with most of the action coming in the second half.

The first half was sloppy for both teams, with bad giveaways and fouls throughout. Minnesota United sustained pressure in the first twenty minutes, largely through the midfield. Thomas Chacon looked extremely lively and created some good combinations with Angelo, as well as dropping back and receiving the ball from the defense.

Pachuca controlled the latter end of the first half, which forced Dayne st. Claire into making several quality reaction saves. The Loons broke the deadlock in the 44th minute, with a free-kick goal from Moimbe. The free-kick came from Thomas Chacon being taken down on the left side about 25 yards out. Moimbe to the shot left-footed and curled it to the left of the wall and in the near post.

The Loons started the same players as they did the first half in the second. Early on it looked good for Minnesota, Moimbe was getting up in the attack and Chacon became more confident with some flicks and tricks.

In the 61 minute Pachuca leveled the game 1-1, with a quality shot from about 18 yards out. Neither Carter Manley or Kallman stepped up quick enough and the Mexican side tied it up. Then again in the 67th minute Franco Jara capitalizes off a poor giveaway in the midfield by Colin Martin. Martin was far too slow, and the midfield was left exposed.

In the 70th Minute Thomas Chacon was taken down in the box illegally and earned a penalty kick for the Loons. After some discussion, Chacon stepped up to the mark, and the shot was saved. The strike was low and to the left, however not far enough, as Blanco pushes it wide. However the Loons were redeemed by Abu Danladi in the 78th minute when a poor giveaway by Pachuca fell, fortunately, and Abu ran 1v1 against the goalkeeper and passed it into the goal.

The game slowed down after Abu tied it up. A red card was given to Edwin Cardona of Pachuca for throwing the ball at the referee, and that just about brought the game to a close.

The game tied 2-2, which seemed fitting to the somewhat boring and lackluster night it was. Luckily no Loons were injured, and Thomas Chacon got to get his legs moving. Minnesota United travels to Houston on Wednesday to continue their MLS playoff campaign.