Minnesota United 4- Real Salt Lake 2
The wait for win no. 1 is over for MLS newcomer Minnesota United FC.
In a wild match overrun with defensive mistakes, Christian Ramirez scored twice as Minnesota marauded a makeshift Real Salt Lake backline to stake a 4-2 win on Saturday at TCF Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minn.
Ramirez, who stuck with the Loons during its transition from the NASL to the top flight, grabbed his first goal of the game in the 52nd minute, then added another in the 62nd minute. Kevin Molino joined Ramirez on Minnesota’s side of the scoresheet when he tallied in the 16thminute while Johan Venegas punched the back of the net in the 68th minute.
Salt Lake, who were under the guidance of interim coach Daryl Shore, opened the scoring on a fourth minute Luke Mulholland strike, then capped it in the 87th minute on a Yura Movsisyan goal.
Saturday’s victory put an end to Minnesota’s season-opening four game winless run (0-3-1) while the four goals scored were the most they’ve collected as an MLS team.
But rewarding their home support with win no. 1 appeared to be pure fantasy early on. With the match only four minutes old, Chris Wingert put a ball into the box where Minnesota defender Francisco Calvo’s botched clearance fell right to Mulholland, the former Loon himself, who ripped it into the back of the net.
First impressions, of course, can often be deceiving. After Salt Lake center back Aaron Maund exited with a knock in the 12th minute, the guests’ defending corps, which had already been decimated injuries, looked ripe for the picking.
Not long after Mulholland’s breakthrough, it was Wingert who played the goat when his wayward clearance fell Kevin Molino, who shoved it through to level it and give the home fans reason to cheer. And there would be more occasions for the Minnesota faithful to rise from their seats.
Goalkeeper Bobby Shuttleworth saved a laser from Sebastian Saucedo in the 16th minute, and stonewalled Saucedo again in the 34thminute.
As strong as Shuttleworth’s saves may have been, it was Ramirez who lived up to his nickname – Superman – in the second half.
On a breakaway in the 52nd minute, Ramirez and Molino played a give-and-go in front of Nick Rimando, who was caught in the headlights when the Minnesota striker chipped it through to give his team the lead.
Ten minutes later, Rimando inexplicably misplayed a long ball before Ramirez poked it away from the Salt Lake keeper and ushered it into an open net.
Minnesota made it a four-goal evening in the 68th minute when another defensive breakdown allowed Venegas to latch onto a ball from Molino and stroll into the final third, where he easily beat Rimando.
But Salt Lake didn’t go down without a fight. This time, Minnesota reverted to its trademark generosity when Movsisyan chased down a Luis Silva ball and beat Shuttleworth with little effort to bring one back for the guests.
Minnesota returns to action on Saturday, Apr. 7 when they head south to face FC Dallas at Toyota Stadium. Salt Lake will be back on the pitch with new coach Mike Petke in tow on Saturday, Apr. 7 when they host Vancouver Whitecaps FC at Rio Tinto Stadium.
Minnesota United FC
