Recap & Notebook: MNUFC draws with LAFC at home

Minnesota United entered Saturday night’s match looking to gain another three points after having gotten won their last two matches against Austin FC and Philadelphia Union. Adrian Heath would change the Starting XI very minimally from Wednesday. Robin Lod would come in for Ethan Finlay on the right side while Ozzie Alonso took over for Dotson at LDM, as Dotson to slid down replace Romain Métanire, who was suspended for a red card, at RB.

30 minutes into the match Los Angeles Football Club opened up the match with the first goal of the night. Cristian Arango made that goal look easy when he slipped a free kick just to Tyler Miller’s right, after Miller had misplayed the free kick by just mere inches.

“It’s the occupational hazard for a goalkeeper,” said Heath. “When you make a mistake, invariably, it proves very, very costly. And, but hey, he’s saved us on numerous occasions this season. Most important thing is he put it behind him and we’ll move on.”

“You just try to encourage and I think he got the message from all of us and it’s always great when teammates dig each other out,” Will Trapp said. “I mean Ozzie [Alonso] scores a great goal and that’s what the group is building towards and that’s where our mentality is focused.”

Minnesota United answered just over 30 minutes with a second half goal in the 65th minute. Emanuel Reynoso took a hard free kick which LAFC keeper Jamal Blackman swatted away. However that swat brought it to the feet of Ozzie Alonso who proceeded to drive home a rebound goal to even up the match.

“When you need someone to stand up, it’s great to have your captain do so and he did a great job tonight,” said Trapp. “Not just with the goal but his entire performance. No matter how they go as long as they go in. So like I said, as long as we can continue to get chances, clear cut chances, and have that final third quality I think we’re going to score goals.”

Even with the come from behind draw, Adrian Heath was not happy with only taking one point. “I think we deserved three. The way we played deserved three points.” said Adrian Heath.

The team themselves we’re also not entirely happy with only coming out with a single point, even with how they managed to get the point.

“A little disappointing you know because when we play at home we always try to get the three points but after being down one-zero and then tied, I think it’s a good point,” said Ozzie Alonso. “Now I have to focus on Vancouver.”

The Loons will face off with Vancouver Whitecaps on Wednesday night at 9 PM in Vancouver, BC at BC Place. This is the Loons first trip to BC Place since the pandemic began. Minnesota will also be without Chase Gasper due to his yellow card accumulation. The match can be seen on Bally Sports North+, ESPN+ (out of market), and heard on SKOR North.