Loons Keep Unbeaten Streak in 4-4 Draw to Timbers

July 30, 2022 – Major League Soccer (MLS) – Minnesota United FC News Release

SAINT PAUL, Minn. — Goals, goals and more goals was the theme Saturday afternoon at Allianz Field as Minnesota United FC and the Portland Timbers played to a physically contested, high-scoring 4-4 draw.

Anyone who blinked their eyes in the first seconds of the match most likely missed the opening goal scored by Portland midfielder Sebastian Blanco. The next eight minutes were fast and physical, and a Loons offensive attack resulted in a corner kick in the ninth minute. Midfielder Emanuel Reynoso took the corner kick, sending it inside the six-yard box where forward Luis Amarilla’s header attempt landed at the right spot for a diving header from midfielder Franco Fragapane, who scored the equalizer. In the 21st minute, Minnesota’s transition attack struck again when Fragapane’s backfooted shot hit the near post and forward Bongokuhle Hlongwane scored off the rebound, giving the Loons the 2-1 lead. Amarilla notched the third goal of the first half for the Loons when he connected on a Fragapane pass, dribbled past a Portland defender and scored in the 41st minute.

Just as they did to start the game, Portland pounced on the Loons early, and fired back at the beginning of the second half, adding quick goals from Blanco in the 50th minute and forward Jaroslaw Niezgoda in the 53rd to even the match at 3-3. The Timbers then took the lead in the 65th minute when a Blanco shot deflected off Minnesota defender Kemar Lawrence and into the net, resulting in an own-goal and giving the visiting side the 4-3 advantage. MNUFC’s Amarilla scored his second goal of the afternoon off a header in the 69th minute, leveling the contest yet again at 4-4. The match ended in a draw, leaving the Loons in third place in the Western Conference with 35 points. Notably, the result extended Minnesota’s unbeaten run to seven straight matches. Unfortunately as the Loons head west to face the Colorado Rapids next weekend they will be without the services of three key players – Emanuel Reynoso, Michael Boxall and Robin Lod – due to yellow card accumulation.

Minnesota United next heads to the Rocky Mountains to face the Colorado Rapids on Saturday, August 6 at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park. Kick for Saturday afternoon’s contest is set for 8:00 p.m. CT and will be broadcast on Bally Sports North EXTRA and The CW – Twin Cities, with radio broadcast on 1500 ESPN.

ATTENDANCE: 19,792

BELL BANK MAN OF THE MATCH: Forward…