Match Recap: MNUFC Takes Game 1 vs Real Salt Lake

October 30, 2024
|In MLS, MNUFC Match Recaps
|By Bridget McDowell
PK waves a flag in celebration after Minnesota United defeated the Colorado Rapids by a score of 3-0 at Allianz Field in Saint Paul, Minn., on Saturday, September 28, 2024.
(Photo by Seth Steffenhagen/Steffenhagen Photography)

Minnesota United FC kicked off their 2024 playoff campaign with a thriller of a draw against Real Salt Lake on Tuesday night, which the Loons were able to convert to a win on the penalty kick shootout, giving them the first win in a best-of-three series. Now, if you tuned in to this match with the intention of showing a friend how exciting Major League Soccer can be, the first half was probably not a good selling point for you. The second half, however, grabbed some attention and was a great example of how to get people on their feet without even finding the net.

RSL Starting XI: GK Zac MacMath; D Alexandros Katranis, Javain Brown, Justen Glad, Emeka Eneli; M Braian Ojeda, Matt Crooks, Nelson Palacio; F Diego Luna, Cristian Arango, Dominik Marczuk

MNUFC Starting XI: GK Dayne St. Clair; D Joseph Rosales, Jefferson Diaz, Michael Boxall ©, Carlos Harvey, Bongokuhle Hlongwane; M Joaquín Pereyra, Wil Trapp, Hassani Dotson, Robin Lod; F Kelvin Yeboah

Real Salt Lake took control of the match early, maintaining possession inside of Minnesota’s half for long stretches of time. Chicho Arango and Diego Luna wasted no time in finding space in a stretched United midfield but the Loons were able to put together just enough forays into Salt Lake’s half that they looked almost as dangerous as their hosts. Robin Lod, Bongi Hlongwane, Joseph Rosales, and Kelvin Yeboah, took control of the tempo whenever the Loons found possession. But turnovers, as always, seemed likely to torpedo the Loons’ defenses against Salt Lake. Arango’s own poor finishing saved Minnesota midfielder Wil Trapp his blushes after at least two lazy turnovers.

“We didn’t like the first 15, 20 minutes of the game – that wasn’t how we intended to look. We looked for me, far too deep, far too passive, not building pressure well enough,” head coach Eric Ramsay reflected after the game. “Twenty minutes onwards that started to change, a touch early stages of the second half, once we were able to make a couple corrections at halftime, and nudge the players to be more aggressive, less passive, more front foot in the way we defended.”

The Loons were a different beast coming out for the second half. Almost immediately, Lod had a chance that would have broken the game wide open for Minnesota – save for the gloves of Zac MacMath.

Arango and Luna (and later, Anderson Julio who replaced Luna not long after the break) continued their press as well, keeping the stat sheet balanced through regulation. And keeping Dayne St. Clair on his toes throughout the night:

“They’re clever players [Diego Luna and Chicho Arango], so I think when you have a set piece like that, some guys kind of shut off and it’s my job to be alert. I see Diego making the run and then they play him through, and we did a good job to recover. I make the first save and then we’re able to clear it, and I’m out of my net at that point, I’m just trying to stay [put]. Reverting back to my line doesn’t really do me any help, so just stay big and I know I’ve got guys behind me that can potentially clear the ball and the line.”

Minnesota forced MacMath into a double-save spell as well.

Level on shots (11), shots on goal (6), and nearly so in pass completion (84%-78%), Real Salt Lake held a strong advantage in passes – 515 to 366 – which reflected their ability to nullify Minnesota’s midfield. Arango nearly found a breakthrough in stoppage time but last ditch defending kept RSL off the board and the match went to a penalty shootout.

The heroes of this shootout were Justin Glad and Braian Ojeda — For the Loons. Through six rounds, all of the Loons (Yeboah, Trapp, Boxall, Sang Bin, Oluwaseyi, Diaz) were on target, but MacMath was able to tip Boxall’s attempt wide. St. Clair on the other hand did not make any saves — but he didn’t have to. Glad and Ojeda both skied their shots. Ojeda’s was Salt Lake’s last attempt, making Diaz’s shot the winning goal.

A win is a win, as they say. The Loons will take it, and a 1-0 lead, into their home leg on Saturday. Dayne St. Clair is ready. Are you?

“We knew to move on that we’re going to have to get a result here [at Real Salt Lake] no matter what, to move on. So, we came in with the mindset of let’s do it the first game. The fans [in Minnesota] have shown us a lot of love, so to be able to have the ability to move on in front of them, we know what they bring in terms of the atmosphere. There’s going to be a lot more pressure on Salt Lake now going into a must-win for them. But, we’re definitely looking at it [Game 2] as a must-win because we don’t want to come back here either.”

As always, Northland Soccer will be there: 8 PM CST. If you cannot be at Allianz Field or tune into Apple-MLS, follow us for live updates and postmatch coverage.

Chicho Arango Dayne St. Clair Diego Luna Minnesota United FC Real Salt Lake Robin Lod