Loons Fly High in 2-1 Win against Austin

August 21, 2022 – Major League Soccer (MLS) – Minnesota United FC News Release

SAINT PAUL, Minn. — One slip of attention can change the course of a game. That’s what happened Saturday night when MNUFC’s Franco Fragapane caught Austin FC’s defense off guard, stealing the ball and chipping in the game-winning goal to secure three points and the 2-1 victory during the top-four Western Conference battle.

Minnesota had multiple scoring chances throughout the first half against the second-place team from Texas, finally breaking through in the 25th minute. Former Loon Ethan Finlay fouled midfielder, and MVP candidate, Emanuel Reynoso in the box, awarding MNUFC a penalty kick. Reynoso lined up on the spot and converted the penalty to give the home side the 1-0 lead in the 25th minute. The goal was notably the Argentine’s 10th of the 2022 campaign and it extended his points streak to four-straight matches. Austin FC would find the equalizer late in first-half stoppage time when Loons defender DJ Taylor was called for a handball inside the box. Fellow MVP candidate, Sebastian Driussi successfully converted the penalty kick attempt to level the match at 1-1 right before the halftime whistle. In the second half, Minnesota’s Franco Fragapane capitalized on an Austin defender who was slow to clear the ball out of his own box, intercepting it and deftly scoring off a chip over the outstretched Austin keeper. Fragapane’s goal gave the Loons the 2-1 advantage in the 62nd minute. With his game-winner against Austin FC, Fragapane has now either scored a goal or provided an assist in five consecutive games.

Notably, with Reynoso and Fragapane’s goals, MNUFC extended its club-record scoring streak to 12 matches dating back to the New England Revolution contest (June 19). With his goal Saturday night, Fragapane has notched three out of the five goals the Loons have scored against Austin since the Texas side joined MLS in 2021. Additionally, with both goals, Minnesota has gone six games in a row with two or more goals scored. Lastly, recently acquired midfielder Mender Garcia made his MLS and Minnesota United debut when he came on in the 71st minute.

Minnesota United continues its home stretch when it hosts the Houston Dynamo on Saturday, August 27 at Allianz Field. Kick for Saturday afternoon’s contest is set for 2:30 p.m. CT and will be broadcast on Univision, TUDN, Bally Sports North and The CW – Twin Cities and streamed on Twitter (English audio), with radio broadcast…