February 25, 2024 – Major League Soccer (MLS) – Minnesota United FC News Release
AUSTIN, Texas — Minnesota United started the 2024 MLS Regular Season with a hard-earned victory on the road against Austin FC at Q2 Stadium thanks to goals from midfielders Robin Lod and Alejandro Bran.
12′: MNUFC earned a corner kick, which was pushed outside the 18-yard box before outside back Joseph Rosales chips the ball towards goal. Franco Fragapane connected on Rosales’ chip, and his header from inside the six-yard box was barely saved by Austin FC goalkeeper Brad Stuver.
12′: Less than 30 seconds later, the Minnesota offense pressed again, where Teemu Pukki struck a shot that just missed above the crossbar.
15′: Pukki held possession and quickly turned inside the Austin box, laying-up a short cross to midfielder Sang Bin Jeong. Sang Bin’s header towards the far post was yet again saved by Stuver.
21′: Austin FC see’s its first scoring chance of the night fall short when forward Gyasi Zardes connected a corner kick, but his shot went wide of the net.
23′: A result of a high press, Minnesota veteran midfielder Robin Lod stole the ball on the right side of Austin’s six-yard box. Lod then quickly weaved past one defender and fired off a shot that hit the far post, nearly giving the Loons the opening goal.
29′: Off a corner kick, Minnesota sees a close-range header by centerback Miguel Tapias saved by Brad Stuver. This was the ninth shot of the night for the Loons, notably the fifth shot on target.
34′: Robin Lod scored the first goal of the 2024 MLS season for Minnesota United. Starting from MNUFC’s defensive third, Rosales drove the ball up the pitch, passing it off to Pukki. Pukki’s run finished just above the keeper’s box, with the ball handed off to Sang Bin. The Korean attacker then quickly crossed the ball towards the net, and the ball landed at Lod’s feet following a deflection by Stuver. Lod capitalized on the close-rage shot, giving the Loons the 1-0 lead.
45’+1′: Duluth, Minnesota native Ethan Finlay gave the Texas side its first shot on goal of the night from a cross. But MNUFC goalkeeper Dayne St. Clair makes the save to keep the score at 1-0 ahead of halftime.
56′: Austin attacker Ethan Finlay drove towards the Minnesota goal when Rosales – on the defensive response – fouled Finlay just 20 yards from the endline. A free kick was awarded to the Texas side, but the cross-in was eventually cleared by the Loons.
63′: The Verde and Black crowded Minnesota’s…
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