Minnesota United Battles with New York Red Bulls to a 1-1 Home Opener Draw

March 11, 2023 – Major League Soccer (MLS) – Minnesota United FC News Release

SAINT PAUL, Minn. — A snow-covered pitch was the backdrop for Minnesota United’s 2023 Home Opener, where the Loons battled a desperate-to-score New York Red Bulls squad to a 1-1 draw in front of a sold-out crowd at Allianz Field on Saturday night.

The New York Red Bulls started the match off quickly, seeing consistent possession in the Loons’ defending third. But Minnesota fought back, earning a corner kick after a Red Bulls defender slipped in their own goalkeeper’s box, thus losing the ball. MNUFC midfielder Franco Fragapane took the corner kick in the 18th minute, sending the ball into the box where defender Miguel Tapias made an attempt at goal with a header that was saved; but the rebound landed in front of forward Bongokuhle Hlongwane and he took the opportunity, scoring the goal and giving the Loons an early 1-0 lead.

Shortly after the start of the second half, the Red Bulls won a corner kick in the 49th minute. Capitalizing off the delivery into the box, New York defender Andres Reyes’ header found the back of the net by the far post, equalizing the game at 1-1. The latter part of the match saw increased scoring opportunities on both ends, including a 90+3rd minute shot by midfielder Robin Lod just feet away from goal, only to be saved by RBNY goalkeeper Carlos Coronel. In total, both teams were in the double digits in shots taken: New York Red Bulls had 15 while Minnesota shot 11.

Notably, Robin Lod made his 100th-career game appearance with MNUFC across all competitions. The Finnish international now has 91 combined regular-season and MLS Cup Playoffs appearances since joining the Loons in July of 2019.

With the draw, Minnesota United holds a 1-0-1 (W-L-D) record and four points in 2023 regular-season action.

BELL BANK MAN OF THE MATCH: Forward Bongokuhle Hlongwane

LINEUPS:

Minnesota United XI: GK Dayne St. Clair; D Kemar Lawrence, Miguel Tapias, Michael Boxall, Zarek Valentin; M Kervin Arriaga, Wil Trapp (c), Franco Fragapane, Robin Lod, Bongokuhle Hlongwane; F Mender Garcia

Bench: GK Clint Irwin; D DJ Taylor; M Joseph Rosales, Hassani Dotson; F Luis Amarilla, Patrick Weah, Cameron Dunbar, Tanitoluwa Oluwaseyi

New York Red Bulls XI: GK Carlos Coronel; D Andres Reyes, Kyle Duncan, Sean Nealis, John Tolkin; M Frankie Amaya, Lewis Morgan, Cristian Casseres Jr., Daniel Edelman; F Cory Burke, Luquinhas

Bench: GK Ryan Meara; D Dylan Nealis, Hassan Ndam; M Omir Fernandez, Peter…