More entertainment happened at Allianz Field on Saturday night than anywhere else in the metro area. Orlando took advantage of a down and injured goalkeeper to score, both benches were carded. The Lions then added a second tally in the second half before a five minute surge put MNUFC up with just over ten minutes to play. However Orlando City spoiled the party with a stoppage time goal to force a draw in St. Paul.
With a huge win under their belt from the previous week, Cameron Knowles went with the "if it ain't broke don't fix it" mantra with the lineup, making no changes to the eleven. Orlando City also coming off a win made just three changes to their lineup after defeating RSL in their last one out.
Northland Soccer Journal
From the get go, Minnesota United was on the front foot of the match. Early shots for the Loons set the tone of the match, but the Loons continued to deal with a problem they've faced all season; shooting accuracy. By the time the first half ended the Loons had 10 shots with four on target totaling to just 0.91 expected goals on the half.
28 minutes into the match Orlando was the first one to score. After colliding with Minnesota goalkeeper Drake Callender the Lions Daryl Dike scored the opener for the visitors.
Daryl Dike's 28th minute goal for Orlando City
Following the collision Callender was down for an extended period of time, but he did go on to finish the first half. However at the end of the half he came off with trainers and backup keeper Alec Smir walking with him. Callender came off as a concussion sub with Smir taking the goalkeeper spot for the final half of football.
After Orlando's first half goal a trio of yellows were issued, one to Markanich, and one to each bench. The second half started in that same manner with each team shown a yellow inside the first 15 minutes of the second half. The Lions took advantage of the run of play first, with Antoine Griezmann netting a goal on an Orlando City breakout and three on two.
But after his goal for Orlando the next twelve minutes turned into an all Minnesota show. Starting in the 71st minute and taking just five minutes Minnesota United turned the match on it's head. First came a goal from Marcus Caldeira that came thanks to a set of passes from Kyle Duncan at the wing and Kelvin Yeboah inside the box.
Three minutes later the Loons drew the match level as Anthony Markanich ghosted his way into the six on the way to scoring off a corner from Joaquín Pereyra. But the Loons weren't finished yet and tacked on another in the 76th minute. Kyle Duncan made a run into the box and tried to chip goalkeeper Maxime Crépeau, who appeared to get a hand on it. Kelvin Yeboah then smashed the floating ball with a bicycle kick to put the Loons up 3–2 after being down just minutes earlier
Kelvin Yeboah's 75th minute goal for Minnesota United
Minnesota United nearly scored another as the time winded past the 80th minute. But the Loons own player ended up in the way and blocked the shot. Orlando didn't take the surge lying down and Tyrese Spicer scored a stoppage time goal to level the match, where it finished.
MNUFC will now have another week in between matches before the Loons head on the road. Next week Minnesota travels to the West Coast again for the second match of the season against the Portland Timbers.
