Sometimes only one goal is needed to win or as former Minnesota United manager Adrian Heath would say "goals change games." And sometimes the lack of goals also changes a matches complexion as well. That was the case on Wednesday night in St. Paul as MNUFC fell 1–0 to the Colorado Rapids in the Loons second to last home match of the first half of the campaign.
Heading into Wednesday's match the Loons came in on just two days of rest and some rotation was expected. That rotation happened and gave Michael Boxall his first start since returning from injury. James Rodríguez made his first and almost certainly only start in the black and blue. Wil Trapp and Kyle Duncan also made their return to the starting eleven with Trapp slotting in for Nectarios Triantis and Duncan in for Devin Padelford.
Northland Soccer Journal
Early on things looked as if they would be officiated as Sunday's match was following Morris Duggan being issued a yellow card just one minute in. Kelvin Yeboah was also shown one twenty minutes later, though that did not slow the Loons down.
But five minutes later they were set back a Colorado goal from Rafael Navarro. Minnesota's Jefferson Díaz sat a few yards behind the remainder of the back line. That allowed Navarro to slip away down the right side unguarded and then score from 12 yards out.
Cool as you like from Rafa Navarro to slot it home for the lead 🥶#MINvCOL pic.twitter.com/mCdIgm2ERq
— Colorado Rapids (@ColoradoRapids) May 14, 2026
For the rest of the first half of football, Minnesota United dominated every possible facet of the match. The Loons ended with more shots, more shots on target, and a higher xG but just could not finish the job with a goal. MNUFCs constant pressure on the Rapids showed who the better team was in every way but the scoreline.
Starting the second half Cameron Knowles took centre-back Michael Boxall off subbing on Nicolás Romero in his stead. Just minutes into the second half it appeared as if the Loons had leveled the match following a Joaquín Pereyra to Anthony Markanich play. Ultimately the offside flag was up nullifying the goal and keeping the Rapids up
Just past the 60 minute mark of the match the Loons made a trio of substitutions to reinvigorate the quad for the final 30 minutes. Tomás Chancalay, Bongokuhle Hlongwane, and Nectarios Triantis were brought on to replace Kyle Duncan, James Rodríguez, and Owen Gene and did exactly what was wanted, as they brought some much needed energy to the squad.
Even with that much needed energy the Loons struggled to get to the back of the net, even though Minnesota consistently had good chances to score. Chancalay skied a free kick well over the bar just past the 70th minute, then minutes later Chancalay whipped a cross to Yeboah that he just could not place on target. MNUFC were unable to mount another good chance at goal, falling at home to Colorado for just the fourth time.
Minnesota United now sets their sites on Saturday's match in not-Boston as they travel to face New England Revolution in their final road match before the break. The Revs sit at third place in the Eastern Conference following 13 rounds of football.
