Quick Recap: Loons draw Portland in a goalfest

With six players out and two listed as questionable, things didn't look great for Minnesota United heading into their clash against Portland on Saturday. Things began to look up when both players listed as questionable (Reynoso and Arriaga) we're put into the Starting XI at Allianz Field.

Heath lined up his traditional 4-2-3-1 formation with Amarilla up top. Fragapane, Reynoso, and Hlongwane took the spots as attacking midfielders while Arriaga and Lod lined up as defensive mids. Lawrence, Dibassy, Boxall, and Taylor made up the back line in front of starting goalkeeper Dayne St. Clair.

That positive outlook would initially fade, just 13 seconds into the match when Portland's Sebastián Blanco scored the match opener in one of the fastest goals in MLS history.

“We’ve got a lot of time. We’re not too worried. Obviously, it’s less than ideal but it’s not the end of the world because you’ve got 89 minutes to get it back," said Michael Boxall following the match.

Eight minutes later, Minnesota's Franco Fragapane scored to knot up the match at 1-1 and kick off the Loons run of three goals.

In the 21' Hlongwane would score his first as a Loon and the second of the afternoon to put Minnesota up 2-1 with just under 70' to play.

"I mean, obviously, but he’s playing well. He’s playing well and is putting himself in the right spot so if he continues to do that, he’ll score goals,” Adrian Heath stated in the post match press conference.

Luis Amarilla added the Loons third goal just minutes before half time, to give MNUFC a 3-1 lead heading into the locker room and the second half.

Looking more like the Luis [Amarilla] we know we’ve got. His ball retention has been so much better in the last few weeks and he’s now looking like a goal threat," said Adrian Heath. "The chance he had with the header late on that’s Luis [Amarilla] at his best. Getting across people, attacking the ball in the box. That’s a good sign for us. I feel as though he’s just coming back towards his best.”

Unfortunately for Minnesota, Blanco would score in the 50th minute to cut the deficit down to one goal.

Not even three minutes later the Timbers added another second half goal when forward Jaroslaw Niezgoda scored his ninth goal of the 2022 MLS season.

Portland would take the lead in the 65th minute when Kemar Lawrence deflected a shot from the Timbers Sebastián Blanco between DSC and the post resulting in an own goal.

Amarilla would knot up the score for with his second goal of the night, securing himself a brace to match Blanco's effort's on the opposing side.

Minnesota's draw with Portland keeps their unbeaten streak alive at seven in competitive matches and eight matches overall, including a friendly win at home against Premier League side Everton.

Minnesota United will be back in action this Saturday, August 6th when they travel to Dick’s Sporting Goods Park to face Colorado Rapids. That match can be seen on Bally Sports North EXTRA, The CW Twin Cities, and ESPN+.