MNUFC’s Miguel Tapias Scores Game-Winner to Capture Victory in Colorado

March 18, 2023 – Major League Soccer (MLS) – Minnesota United FC News Release

COMMERCE CITY, Colo. — In the seven years of competing in Major League Soccer, Minnesota United had never won a match at the Colorado Rapids until Saturday night, when center-back Miguel Tapias scored the game-winning goal to give the Loons the 2-1 victory and all three points on the road.

The match saw a scoreless first half between the two Western Conference sides, although the first 45 minutes had several scoring opportunities. Minnesota midfielder Robin Lod found space atop Colorado’s 18-yard box in the 25th minute, firing off a shot that just barely missed the left post. At the waning moments of the first half, the Rapids saw their best chance at close range inside the Loons’ box, but goalkeeper Dayne St. Clair made the save.

In the second half, the Rapids struck first when Cole Bassett beat the Loons’ backline, sneaking his shot inside the far post to give the home team the 1-0 lead in the 49th minute. But just five minutes later, MNUFC was awarded a penalty kick from a Danny Wilson hand ball inside the box. Forward Luis Amarilla took the penalty-kick attempt from the spot and scored the equalizer in the 54th minute of the match. The goal was Amarilla’s first of the 2023 season and his 11th regular season tally since joining MNUFC in 2020.

There was a frantic two minutes for both squads, resulting in close scoring chances: In the 67th minute, Danny Wilson’s header hit the top of the post after a set-piece service made its way to the center of the box. In the 68th minute, Minnesota quickly responded with a breakaway towards goal where forward Bongokuhle Hlongwane’s close-range shot found the back of the net, but was ruled offside.

Minnesota United earned a free kick in the 82nd minute when Hlongwane was fouled about 30 yards from the goal line. Midfielder Franco Fragapane then sent the ball inside the box from the set piece and defender Miguel Tapias redirected the ball on a header, scoring the game-winning goal into the side net on the far post. Tapias’ goal was notably his first-ever MLS and MNUFC goal. Fragapane was awarded the assist – his first of the season – from the set-piece kick.

With the win, Minnesota United improves to a 2-0-1 (W-L-D) record and seven points in 2023 regular-season action.

BELL BANK MAN OF THE MATCH: Bongokuhle Hlongwane

LINEUPS:

Minnesota United XI: GK Dayne St. Clair; D Kemar Lawrence, Miguel Tapias, Michael Boxall (c), DJ Taylor, Kervin…