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Recap: MNUFC draws San Jose at home

After coming back from down a goal to take the lead MNUFC faltered and dropped 2 points at home

By Ashle Paige
July 3, 2021 - Saint Paul, Minnesota, United States - Minnesota United defender Michael Boxall (15) kicks the ball during the match against San Jose Earthquakes at Allianz Field. (Photo by Seth Steffenhagen/Steffenhagen Photography)

On a six game unbeaten streak Minnesota United hosted the San Jose Earthquakes last night in their 11th match of the 2021 MLS season. After losing a few players the last few weeks due to International Duty the Loons were back at full strength for the pre-Independece Day match.

Adrian Heath would send his side out in a 4-2-3-1 with Hunou starting up top and Miller once again in goal for the home side.

San Jose took the matches opening goal in the 15th minute when Cristian Espinoza stole the ball from Bakaye Dibassy and charged towards the goal. Tyler Miller came off his line to cover Espinoza, Espinoza then sent the ball to Cade Cowell who took an easy open shot to give the Quakes an early lead.

In the 29th minute Brent Kallman came on to replace Michael Boxall, who had went down with an injury not long before. Minutes later Minnesota United got on the board,with an unpredictable goal from Brent Kallman. Adrian Heath would say postmatch,

“You know, I didn’t even know Brent [Kallman] had scored. I couldn’t…from where we are, it’s just the bodies. I’ll have to see it again.”

The Loons would take a 2-1 lead in the 69th minute, after being awarded a penalty Ramón Ábila took the shot and couldn’t manage to get the PK in but did get the rebound in.

Minnesota would not hold the lead very long as San Jose knotted the match in the 81st minute when Benji Kikanovic snuck through a few defenders and hit a curving shot for the final goal of the night.

Adrian Heath would say after the match,

“I think it was because of the energy that we had to put in to get ourselves back into the game. As much as we were on top, we left ourselves very vulnerable at times. In the counterattack. They’ve got some guys who can run. But, no, we’ve put ourselves in the hole that we were in. It’s too much energy and too much emotion from the crowd to get ourselves back in it, to get to 2-1. And then, you know, in the end, you run out of that emotion. It’s been a really frustrating evening. Because, as I stand here now, we can see… what did we have? Four or five great chances second half? Great chances. Not difficult chances. Great chances. But, it’s frustrating yeah.”

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