For the first time in a very very long time, the fans of Minnesota United left Allianz Field singing Wonderwall. After a first half goal from Atlante put the visitors up the Loons and specifically Joaquín Pereyra had a breakout second half. Pereyra's three goal contributions led to the Loons breaking a nine match winless skid, putting the club on the right path heading back to MLS play this weekend.
Coming into the match on short rest the two managers took very different approaches to their starting eleven. Cameron Knowles made eight changes only retaining Alec Smir, Wil Trapp, and Joaquín Pereyra from the Loons shootout loss to Tigres. For Atlante they retained nine of their starters from a 4–0 loss to Real Salt Lake.
Northland Soccer Journal
Minnesota United started the first half off on the front foot with the Loons getting a few very good chances inside the opening 10 minutes of football. Mauricio González nearly put a goal on the board in the ninth minute, but ultimately missed the goal just wide on the shot. After the opening gasp, MNUFC struggled for much of the first half of football only snagging two shots on target during the entire first half.
Just past the half hour mark Atlante ended up getting on the board first. Aarón Quirós shot deflected off Devin Padelford and headed into goal.
Aarón Quirós goal for Atlante FC
Minnesota started the second half just as they did the first half, pushing for a goal from the jump. MNUFC controlled the pace against a club made up of more than just a few players loaned in. Unlike the first half Minnesota was able to maintain the effort for the entire second half of football
Joaquín Pereyra started off the Loons first goal of the night by taking the ball down the side then cutting down endline into the six. Pereyra slipped a pass to Mauricio González who was in the perfect spot at the top of the six to put the Loons on the board.
Mauricio González first ever goal for MNUFC to draw the match against Atlante level
Joaquín Pereyra got on the end of another goal, this time scoring himself with a lovely little shot over the top of Óscar Jiménez from about 14 yards out to put Minnesota up 2–1.
Joaquín Pereyra's first of two goals for Minnesota United
As the match marched towards the final whistle it was once again Joaquín Pereyra who scored for the Loons, being credited with the goal after an extended VAR review.
Joaquín Pereyra's second goal for Minnesota United against Atlante FC
After playing four games in just over 10 days, Minnesota will get some extra rest before jumping back into MLS action. Saturday the Loons will travel to Sandy, UT for a meeting with Real Salt Lake.
