What was nearly a shock win in front of a heavily partisan crowd at a neutral site turned into another late loss as United fell to Club America on penalties in Phase One of the Leagues Cup Saturday night.
The Loons held a late 3-2 lead and a man advantage after a 62nd-minute red card to Igor Linchnovsky. However, America’s Sebastian Caceres beat Loons goalkeeper Dayne St. Clair with a header in the 90th minute to bring the Liga MX giants level at 3-3.
Both teams had their chances in the seven-plus minutes of stoppage time that followed, with America netminder Luis Malagon stopping a flurry of United chances from point blank range as the game advanced to penalties.
Neither side missed through seven shootout rounds before America got its break as Nicholas Romero’s attempt found the legs of Malagon. Moments later, Isaias Violante’s attempt found the net to seal the come-from-behind victory.
United never trailed in the game, taking an initial 1-0 advantage on a strike from Tani Oluwaseyi in the 14th. After a Michael Boxall own goal levelled the score at 1-1 in the 27th, the Loons quickly regained the edge as Bongokuhle Hlongwane scored to make the score 2-1 into halftime.
America tied the score again in the 53rd, but Carlos Harvey put the Loons back on top 3-2 in the 65th, just minutes after United went up a man Lichnovsky’s infraction saw him sent off.
However, United’s inability to find a fourth goal to finish off its favored rival ended up being its undoing.
Minnesota is scheduled to face Atletico de San Luis in the third and final game of Phase One play on Wednesday night at Allianz Field.
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