MNUFC Falls on the Road against the Philadelphia Union

March 30, 2024 – Major League Soccer (MLS)
Minnesota United FC News Release

CHESTER, PA. – Minnesota United lost for the first time this season, falling on the road to the Philadelphia Union, 0-2, at Subaru Park on Saturday afternoon. The Loons will return home to face Real Salt Lake at Allianz Field on April 6.

11′ – Minnesota United found themselves in a dangerous defensive position early on in the match. Philadelphia lined up for a free kick in the Loons’ defending third. Union defender Kai Wagner served the ball into the box just past the far post and out of bounds, allowing a goal kick for MNUFC.

13′ – MNUFC had an early shot on goal after Robin Lod took space up the pitch and found Teemu Pukki near the 18-yard line. Pukki slotted the ball to South Korean midfielder Sang Bin Jeong on the right side of the pitch. Sang Bin then fired a shot off with his left foot that was saved by Philadelphia goalkeeper Andre Blake.

16′ – Philadelphia found an early goal off a set piece when Kai Wagner sent the ball low into the box, where he found Dániel Gazdag on the far side where he tapped the ball past Loons’ goalkeeper Dayne St. Clair.

19′ – St. Clair saved a dangerous shot on goal by Quinn Sullivan from the right side of the flank nearly four minutes after the Union scored their first goal.

41′ – Minnesota created a goal-scoring opportunity after midfielder Caden Clark found Lod up the pitch. Lod split Philadelphia’s defense, connecting with Pukki in the box. Pukki’s shot on goal is kicked down by Blake and cleared away. Keeping the score 0-1 just before the first half ends.

52′ – Loons fullback Joseph Rosales cleared a cross by Wagner after St Clair went up for the save but missed. Rosales, on the far side, headed the ball away, keeping the score at 0-1.

82′ – Minnesota nearly equalized the match when a long ball was played over the top into MNUFC’s attacking half. Forward Tani Oluwaseyi connected with the service on the right side of the pitch, while forward Bongokuhle Hlongwane made an overlapping run and gained possession. Hlgonwane took open space into the box and fired an undefended shot off, finding the back of the net, but the goal was ruled offside by the referee.

84′ – Union striker Julián Carranza scored the second goal of the match after a long ball over the top into Minnesota’s defensive half connected with Alejandro Bedoya. Bedoya headed the ball to Carranza who found the far corner of the net.

98′ – Alejandro Bran connected with a pass from Franco…