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Minnesota United had just one match left to win Group D and keep their unbeaten streak. Even with two goals from Ethan Finlay, the Loons weren’t able to secure a win rather drawing 2-2 with Colorado Rapids. The Loons would completely change formation from their nil-nil draw with Real Salt Lake. Rather than going with a 4-2-3-1 that would change into a 4-4-2 later MNUFC went with a 4-3-3.
#MNUFC pic.twitter.com/ojfL4pvN1j
— Minnesota United FC (@MNUFC) July 23, 2020
Schoenfeld and Molino would be held out of the Starting XI with Molino not on the bench either. In their place was Amarilla up top and Dotson on the left in the midfield.
Unlike the last game against RSL which had little to no action this one started hot, fast. Amarilla and Metanire would get chances within the first two minutes requiring Yarbrough to make a diving save to prevent the first goal of the night.
The Machine from St. Pete Beach... pic.twitter.com/xjxTNE0emx
— Minnesota United FC (@MNUFC) July 23, 2020
Minnesota would be the first to go in the books as Luis Amarilla was carded for an elbow to Collen Warner’s face and then Dotson was booked for well this.
Yellow on Dotson pic.twitter.com/NCO6EGsL0k
— CJ Fogler #BlackLivesMatter (@cjzero) July 23, 2020
It would be the Rapids who struck first though as Kei Kamara got out wide and split apart Minnesota’s defensive effort. He would finish the run with an easy touch past Tyler Miller into the back of the net.
The counter-attackers get counter-attacked.#MNUFC hit on the counter by #Rapids96 to open scoring. MN CB Michael Boxall moves to ball, Kei Kamara wide open behind. Where’s Chase Gasper?
— Eli Hoff (@byEliHoff) July 23, 2020
Bad defense, which has been uncharacteristic in 2020 for MNUFC. pic.twitter.com/UY2NasEDYF
It wouldn’t be too long though before Minnesota tied it up though. Jan Gregus lined for a free kick and fired it towards net. Finlay would redirect it into the net to tie the match up at 1-1 in the 36th minute.
.@EthanFinlay13 toe flick!
— Major League Soccer (@MLS) July 23, 2020
Jan Gregus free kick sets up the equalizer for @MNUFC. #COLvMIN pic.twitter.com/Amm1gqIE0W
Finlay would strike again less than 10 minutes later. Romain Métanire took a pass from Jan Gregus all the way to the edge of the 6 yard box, flipped a quick pass to Finlay who finished off the play from the top of the 6 to make it 2-1 Loons.
1,2,3
— Minnesota United FC (@MNUFC) July 23, 2020
it's Romain and ETHAN FINLAY pic.twitter.com/hQvF7T855A
At the 52nd minute Colorado would take their first yellow when Drew Moor fouled Hassani Dotson but the Loons would get a third yellow after a foul by Robin Lod. Lod’s foul would give a free kick to Diego Rubio. Rubio smashed the ball into the box where Jonathan Lewis would fire a wicked shot to draw the match even at 2.
.@Jon_lewis710 strikes again!!!
— Colorado Rapids (@ColoradoRapids) July 23, 2020
2-2 | #COLvMIN | #Rapids96 pic.twitter.com/30ELQWuyQu
Colorado would be issued their second Yellow Card after a Kellyn Acosta foul. Minnesota would make their first sub nearly 20 minutes after Colorado, all the way in the 74th minute. Aaron Schoenfeld came on for Luis Amarilla.
s u b@aaronschoenfeld IN
— Minnesota United FC (@MNUFC) July 23, 2020
Luis OUT pic.twitter.com/TyK7EMwroq
Through 80 minutes MNUFC had only made a single sub. During the match Heath was quoted saying this.
“Sometimes I don’t like disrupting the flow of the game,” - Adrian Heath on not choosing to sub more than once so far.
— Jacob Schneider (@_jacobschneider) July 23, 2020
Minnesota would use two more of their subs in the 86th minute with Raheem Edwards coming in for Robin Lod and Marlon Hairston replacing Ethan Finlay. While the Loons had a few more chances, including a point blank range on from Edwards, none would find the back of the net to give Minnesota the win.
#MNUFC just not able to take the win tonight over #Rapids96. They'll face #Crew96 in the first round of the Knockout stage of the #MLSisBack Tournament. pic.twitter.com/QgfCzmJkwd
— E Pluribus Loonum (@EPluribusLoonum) July 23, 2020