Recap: Finlay’s brace isn’t enough to give MNUFC the win over Colorado

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Through 80 minutes MNUFC had only made a single sub. During the match Heath was quoted saying this.

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.