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NASL Minnesota United FC

After Exciting FinishUnited Earns a 2-2 Draw on the Road

July 30, 2016 - North American Soccer League (NASL)
Minnesota United FC News Release


OKLAHOMA CITY -- Two goals at the death leaves United with just one point out of a valiant effort at Miller Stadium in Oklahoma. Justin Davis and Christian Ramirez earned United a short-lived 2-1 lead, but the home side scored with just seconds left to play to steal a point.

It was a tepid start for both Minnesota United and Rayo OKC as they became acquainted with the turf and each other. With both teams pressing high up the pitch and playing compact through the midfield, play was forced over the top. When play slowed down and room opened up in the final third, both United and Rayo found chances, but were unable to settle them down enough to test the 'keepers in the opening 15 minutes of play.

United defender Tiago Calvano was the first to attempt a shot, after Christian Ramirez laid a pass back to him near the 18-yard-box, however Calvano didn't connect well enough to keep the ball down and on net. Former U.S. International Robbie Findley answered for OKC, but similarly was unable to connect and pushed his shot wide of the net.

In the 20^th minute J.C. Banks had the chance of the first half, making his run from midfield into the Rayo penalty area. Minnesota native Ismaila Jome in his first start with United found space on the right side of the pitch and played the ball into the feet of Banks, who had timed his run brilliantly and was in alone on net behind the Rayo defense. The Oklahoma goalkeeper Daniel Fernandes was quick to react and stepped off his line to take the ball off the feet of Banks as he attempted to turn and lift a shot over the 'keeper.

A half largely dominated by the Loons ended scoreless at Miller Stadium. The Loons held an edge in shots and possession, with nine shots to Rayo's three through the first 45 minutes and controlling 55 percent of possession.

Rayo began the second half with an enhanced vigor, pushing forward and holding the ball in the United third. With the Loons having difficulty keeping the ball, United conceded a series of corners and free kicks. In the 60^th minute Rayo made them pay, taking a free kick from just beyond midfield and putting it in the back of the net. Ben Speas was called for a shove, and Michel stood over the ball to deliver a cross into the box. He found the head of Oklahoma defender Futty Danso, who flicked it on toward the net. The ball took a deflection off the head of Devon Sandoval and found the top right corner of the goal beyond the reach of Steward Ceus.

After conceding, the Loons found their edge and took control of the game working the ball wide and playing driven passes into the box. In the 71^st minute Danny Cruz found the head of Justin Davis with a lofted ball at the far post. Davis jumped over his defender and placed a headed shot brilliantly, chipping Fernandes with the ball floating over the goalkeeper's head and into the far corner of the net, evening things up at 1-1.

The Loon's unrelenting attack continued through the next 20 minutes and United was rewarded in stoppage time with Christian Ramirez finding the back of the net for his 12^th goal of the year. Ibson played a ball along the ground, splitting defenders and finding the feet of Ramirez, who slotted it home into the lower corner of the net.

The game looked done and dusted for the Loons, but a last ditch effort from Rayo OKC drew the game at two and stole a point for the home side. Rayo defender Kosuke Kimura took the ball from the kickoff and played it high into the box, finding the head of Futty Danso who was well-marked by Damion Lowe. Danso knocked the ball with the back of his head desperately toward net, and found the top corner. It was the last chance of the match for either side, as the game finished 2-2.

United is back at home for two matches next week on Wednesday and Saturday at NSC Stadium in Blaine. Find tickets for every United home match now atmnunitedfc.com/tickets. PH -25%20MNU%20vs.%20Club%20Leon/) OTOS -25%20MNU%20vs.%20Club%20Leon/) | STATS (http://www.mnunitedfc.com/match-center/1198/okc-vs-mnu)

*PHOTO CAPTION: Minnesota United defender Justin Davis dribbles the ball upfield in the first half Lineups

Minnesota United Starting XI: GK Steward Ceus; D Justin Davis, Brent Kallman, Tiago Calvano, Damion Lowe; M Jack Blake (Ibson 57'), Jeb Brovsky, Ismaila Jome, Danny Cruz (Daniel Mendes 80'), J.C. Banks (Ben Speas 57'); F Christian Ramirez

MNU Unused Subs: GK Sammy Ndjock; M Aaron Pitchkolan, Lance Laing, Jamie Watson

Rayo OKC Starting XI: GK Daniel Fernandes; D Moises Hernandez, Sebastian Ibeagha, Futty Danso, Kosuke Kimura; M Billy Forbes (Jarad van Schaik 87'), Michel, Richard Menjivar (Derek Boateng 46'), Sebastian Velasquez; F Devon Sandoval, Robbie Findley

OKC Unused Subs: GK Bryan Byars; M Pecka, Marvin Chavez, Tyler Gibson; F Georgios Samaras

Match Events

Goals 60' - Sandoval (Danso) - OKC 71' - Davis (Cruz) - MNU 90+2' - Ramirez (Ibson) - MNU 90+3' - Danso (Kimura) - OKC

Discipline 61' - Boateng (YC) - OKC 83' - Hernandez (YC) - OKC 89' - Jome (YC) - MNU

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North American Soccer League Stories from July 30, 2016


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