SAINT PAUL, MN. – Minnesota United FC hosted Colorado Rapids on Wednesday night at Allianz Field. It was just second game of the month for Lalas Abubakar and Colorado. Minnesota were looking to take one step closer to a playoff spot.
Lalas Abubakar Own Goal Downs Colorado Rapids at Minnesota United 2-1
The Rapids started this game much better than their game at Sporting KC last weekend. They were more energetic in their movement and direct in their passing. Less than a minute in, Diego Rubio played Jonathan Lewis in on goal. The shot across goal was wide.
Andre Shinyashiki appeared to spoil a tap in goal in the fifth minute, but the play was ruled offside with Michael Boxall blocking the shot. Colorado swarmed the Loons in the opening 20 minutes with chances for Lewis, Rubio, and others.
Minnesota calmed down after that, getting several looks on set pieces. Aaron Schoenfeld nearly scored in the 35th minute. Emanuel Reynoso delivered a through pass as he drifted between the center backs but William Yarbrough made the save.
Robin Lod opened the scoring a minute before halftime. Pressing Cole Bassett, Minnesota turned the ball over in a good position. Reynoso passed forward to Lod making a run into space to score.
The opening minutes of the second half were equally frenetic. The 52nd minute saw both teams almost score as Schoenfeld beat the offside trap and was denied by Yarbrough. Moments later, Lewis played to Rubio, but Romain Métanire poked the ball away for Dayne St. Clair to collect.
After weathering several minutes of attack from the home side, Colorado found an equalizer. Younes Namli squared the ball to Rubio with Minnesota defending passively. Rubio touched it along to Andre Shinyashiki who scored to make it 1-1.
Kevin Molio had two chances to make it 2-1 after that, sending the first shot off the nearside post. Yarbrough made a diving save on the second.
With Minnesota chasing a winning goal, a Lalas Abubakar own goal decided it. Playing quickly off a battle for the ball in the midfield, Ethan Finlay dribbled down the line and whipped a cross to the front of goal. The ball deflected off Abubakar’s head and into the net.
The match ended 2-1.
“We don’t make mistakes, just happy little accidents.”
– Bob Ross pic.twitter.com/bIs4HLwBHu
— Minnesota United FC (@MNUFC) October 29, 2020
Key Takeaways:
Rapids find their offense: Colorado was much sharper on the ball and in the attack compared to their first game back from the COVID-19 shutdown. They created chances and earned the goal they scored.
Loons lose a man: Minnesota had to adjust when Ozzie Alonso was subbed out early. Losing him the rest of the regular season would be huge blow.
Costly mistake at the back decides it: Lalas Abubakar battled all game and made several good plays. He didn’t make a mistake to give up the first goal, but an unfortunate and gutting mistake cost Colorado a deserved point.
