July 31, 2024 – Major League Soccer (MLS)
Minnesota United FC News Release
SAINT PAUL, Minn. — Minnesota United were able to capture a 1-0 victory against Club Necaxa at home on Tuesday night in the Loons’ second and final Group Stage game of Leagues Cup. While playing a man down for 70 minutes, MNUFC were able to hold strong under Necaxa’s constant pressure, earning them the win on the backs of goalkeeper Dayne St. Clair’s MNUFC and Leagues Cup single-game record 16 saves.
10′ – In the first few minutes, Minnesota midfielder Loïc Mesanvi drew a foul inside the Necaxa box. Following a VAR review, MNUFC was awarded a penalty kick. MLS All-Star Robin Lod stepped up and was able to convert the penalty, putting Minnesota in the lead.
20′ – Minnesota defender Hugo Bacharach was given a straight red card after going in for a tackle from behind in Minnesota’s defensive third.
41′ – Necaxa put Minnesota under pressure after they regained possession in the middle third, allowing midfielder Brayan Garnica to fire off a long-range shot that was saved by Dayne St. Clair.
45′ – Honduras international Joseph Rosales was able to cut the ball back to fire off a right-footed shot from outside the 18-yard box but was saved by Luis Unsain.
46′ – Yet again, St. Clair made an important save after Agustin Palavecino was able to take a shot right outside the 18-yard box that was tipped over the crossbar and out by the Canadian keeper.
50′ – Necaxa found an early second-half opportunity after Kevin Ante Rosero was able to get a cross off, finding Emilio Martínez on the six-yard line for a header to goal that found the back of the net, but was ruled offside.
63′ – Saint Clair kept Minnesota in the lead after two consecutive back-to-back saves. His first save came from a close-range header from Rosero, followed by a long-range shot by José Paradela that St. Clair was able to save and gain possession.
67′ – Four minutes after Saint Clair’s crucial saves, yet again he’s put under pressure by Necaxa after Agustín Oliveros had a header to goal from the center of the six-yard box that St. Clair stopped. Within the same minute, Necaxa had yet another shot on goal that saw St. Clair make a diving save to keep the score 1-0 in favor of the Loons.
84′ – Minnesota found a strong chance at goal in after Lod passed it off to Franco Fragapane on top of the 18-yard box, who then laid it off to Teemu Pukki on the left side for a shot on goal that was deflected back out for another shot that missed…
Click Here to Read the Full Original Article at OurSports Central Major League Soccer MLS News…