Photo Gallery: MNUFC vs Club Necaxa
The Leagues Cup returned to Allianz Field in what was the Loons’ first meet-up with Club Necaxa of Liga MX. The match became a heated and chippy affair with 23 fouls and 5 cards shown.
Minnesota United midfielder Loïc Mesanvi was taken down in the box and the resulting play was analyzed through the use of VAR. After referee Sergio Reyna reviewed the play and pointed to the spot a number of Club Necaxa players swarmed him to protest the ruling. Robin Lod held his composure during the drawn out delay and put the Loons up 1-0 after 10 minutes of play scoring a goal from the penalty spot.
Following another 10 minutes of play Minnesota United defender Hugo Bacharach was given a straight red card for an aggressive tackle from behind on the opposite end of the pitch.
Club Necaxa applied pressure to the depleted Loons’ squad in an attempt to draw level but through the heroics of Minnesota United goalkeeper, Dayne St. Clair, Minnesota held on and earned a clean sheet along with three points in their second game of the 2024 Leagues Cup. St. Clair’s brilliant performance not only set a new single-game record for the club with 16 saves but also set a new record in the Leagues Cup.
The Seattle Sounders host Club Necaxa in the final game of the group as Minnesota waits in the wings to see if their record will be enough to progress onward to the knockout stage.
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