SAINT PAUL, Minn. – It was a tale of two plays for Darwin Quintero in the Twin Cities on Wednesday night. Minnesota United FC continued their good run of form at home against Colorado Rapids.
Darwin Quintero Makes Amends in win over Colorado
The match got off to a good pace with the Rapids going for a goal in the first 15 minutes, with several set pieces and crosses early.
Minnesota gathered themselves after that and dictated the pace, attacking mainly down their right flank against Sam Vines and Jonathan Lewis with Kevin Molino.
The first great chance of the game came in the 36th minute when Danny Wilson was called for a PK on Chase Gasper. There was not a lot of contact, but Wilson did get a hand and an arm to the side of the defender as a ball went over their heads towards goalkeeper Clint Irwin.
Darwin Quintero stepped up to take the PK, but hit it poorly and just to the side of Irwin, who made the save. Two minutes later, Quintero would redeem himself. Molino hit a ball over the top and the forward timed his run perfectly to get in behind. He dribbled in alone on Irwin and beat him, rolling the ball over the line.
Tommy Smith nearly tied the game minutes into the second half on a header off a corner, but Ike Opare blocked it out for a corner. Substitute Abu Danladi had a sure-fire goal in the 78th minute with a header on a ball that went over Irwin, but he put it off the crossbar and out for a goalkick.
The match ended 1-0.
if at first you don't succeed…
…put on a lab coat and become @darwinJR3 pic.twitter.com/GY2MEzZsoq
— Minnesota United FC (@MNUFC) August 15, 2019
Three Takeaways:
Tale of Twin Cities for Darwin Quintero: Quintero had the worst and best play of the game. Soccer’s funny in how it gives one a chance for redemption and the DP forward made good on it.
Lack of attack: In yet another game, the Pids were out-possessed and out-shot. After a decent first half, their chances were few and far between and mostly reliant on corners.
Allianz Advantage: In their last six games in league play, Minnesota are 6-0-1 after this game. They’ve been fantastic at Allianz Field and it’s a big reason they’re expected to make the playoffs.
