Minnesota United needed a long-range blast to gain one point in a 1-1 draw with Colorado Rapids on Saturday at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park in Commerce City, Colo.
Nector Triantis scored from distance, roughly 35 yards, to make it 1-1 in the 65th minute. It was an incredible goal, but not as stunning as his rainbow from behind the halfway line two weeks ago against San Diego.
“He strikes the ball really, really well,” had coach Eric Ramsay said. “What you’ve seen (Saturday night) is a very complete performance, I would say, in the middle. … He is very physical, very athletic, really helps us in that sense, which, of course, is something that we have been reliant on up until this point.”
MNUFC (15-7-9, 54 points) got a stroke of positivity after two straight defeats in all competitions and increased their unbeaten streak on the road to nine matches (6-0-3) and stave off consecutive losses in league games this season. Colorado (11-14-6, 39 points) dropped points at home as they fight for one of the final MLS Cup Playoff spots.
The Loons conceded a goal on just about the final touch of the first half. After Rafael Navarro won a foul from Michael Boxall, Rapids defender Rafael Santos scored on a line-drive free kick from roughly 23 yards out.
“With how we fell behind just before halftime, it’s a literal mountain to climb in that sense, particularly here,” Ramsay said about playing at altitude in Colorado. “The fact that we were able to make some adaptations at halftime and really respond well to those.”
In the first half, Minnesota’s offense was almost nonexistent with two shots, neither on target. Seeking a spark, Ramsay brought in Dominik Fitz and Joseph Rosales for Anthony Markanich and Julian Gressel and made the rare switch to a back-four defensive shape.
The Loons started to get forward with more regularity, and Fitz provided the first shot on target in the 57th minute.
Hassani Dotson, who hasn’t played since March due to a hamstring injury, subbed into the match in the 84th minute.
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