Brace for Rodriguez Leads Loons to 2-1 Win over NYCFC
September 29, 2018 - Major League Soccer (MLS)
Minnesota United FC News Release
MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. - Just a few days after clinching a spot in the playoffs with a victory over the Chicago Fire at home, NYCFC headed to the Land of 10,000 Lakes to face Minnesota United in front of a sellout crowd at TCF Bank Stadium. The Loons, riding high after a win last week against the Portland Timbers, came out full of the confidence their home form has inspired and jumped on the opportunities early before holding off a spirited New York City side in the second half. Although they would eventually go down a man, Minnesota would hold strong for a 2-1 victory in the end on the back of a brace from Angelo Rodriguez on a chilly late September night.
"I didn't think it was as bad as people said," Head Coach Adrian Heath said of the cold. "Maybe I'm getting used to it! I don't think so. No, I didn't think it was that bad tonight. And our first half performance warmed me up. I was really pleased with us in the first half. I thought our two front guys in the first half made the midfield four do their job, because of the set-up from the two front men. They took away their third midfield player from them. And I thought our pressing, and when to press, and where to press, was superb in the first half."
The game's opening minutes saw the two sides - each lined up in a 4-2-3-1 formation - feeling each other out, testing for gaps in coverage or attention. That process allowed the Loons to get out on the front foot a bit, bossing some possession early and trying out things like having midfielders Miguel Ibarra and Alexi Gomez switching sides to keep NYCFC guessing.
By the 15-minute mark, things had evened out a bit, with each side getting opportunities but only NYCFC racking up any shots. Despite getting men free down the wings, Minnesota struggled initially with finding a final ball, at least until the 20th minute when Darwin Quintero sprung Ibarra for a run down the right wing. Ibarra held the ball up long enough for forward Angelo Rodriguez to slip off of NYCFC's Sebastien Ibeagha and slip a header past goalkeeper Sean Johnson for a 1-0 Loons lead.
"Prior to that, I already had two that I was looking for [Angelo Rodriguez] and they didn't go off," said Ibarra. "But then I had one clear one and I saw him making the second post run. So I put it in there and he had a great finish."
"Not only did he score," said Heath of Rodriguez. "Because goals, sometimes can mislead you, into people thinking someone has had a really good performance. But tonight, I thought he worked really, really hard. Got all the stuff. Looked dangerous. And he's closing down from the front. Him and Darwin, I thought were a catalyst for everything we did behind that. And, you know, that's something we've been working on with the front guys. So, that's a pleasing part of the game."
The goal lit a bit of a fire under both teams, with the physicality of play bumping up a notch in its wake. With players hitting the turf left and right, NYCFC midfielder Alexander Ring earned a yellow card in the 21st minute for a cleats-up challenge against midfielder Collen Warner. In the 29thminute, Quintero nearly doubled the Loons lead after working himself free in the box following a sliding cross from defender Francisco Calvo. Controlling the ball, he snaked around several defenders before striking a shot that Johnson just managed to send over the endline for a corner kick that ultimately came to nothing.
NYCFC was doing its best to ramp up the offensive pressure, with Ismael Tajouri-Shradi sending a dangerous ball in from the left wing that came perilously close to picking out a streaking Jo Inge Berget to level the game in the 35th minute. But in the next minute, the visitors lost a lot of steam when a careless back pass from defender Ben Sweat to Johnson got picked off by Rodriguez. With Johnson well out of net, Rodriguez sidestepped past him and walked the ball into the back of the net to put MNUFC up 2-0 heading into the half.
"I think you prepare for that: to work, to score goals, to play well so that the team wins," said Rodriguez. "Fortunately, today that happened. That's why I came, to demonstrate what I've done throughout my career. So, this is just beginning. It's just about working and having confidence."
NYCFC came out of the break determined to get on the board. The visiting side displayed a much greater sense of urgency as it became clear that the home side were prepared to sit back a bit more, only looking to score if the right opportunity presented itself. That approach led to several opportunities for New York City in threatening positions as their pressure on the offensive end forced the Loons to make physical plays. Although midfielder Collen Warner was eventually sent off after his second yellow, the team as a whole kept their composure when NYCFC players couldn't keep their feet.
New York City's first best chance came in the 59th minute when midfielder Valentin Castellanos sent in a terrifying cross that found Berget stretching out in front of the face of goal for a header. Fortunately for the home side, the ball went into the turf and bounced all the way over the crossbar.
When Warner received his second yellow following a tackle that he probably should have stayed upright for in the 76th minute, the tenor of the game changed as Minnesota was forced to hold onto their two-goal lead with 10 men for the final 14 minutes of the game. Heath went to his bench, switching out Rodriguez for defender Eric Miller and shifting to a five-man backline to ward off the New York City attack. It worked a treat until the first minute of stoppage time when NYCFC managed to notch a gritty, determined goal after a cross into Castellanos that appeared to pull him offside ended with Rodney Wallace willing the ball into the back of the net from short range. After a considerable stoppage while the play was reviewed, the goal stood and NYCFC cut the lead in half, 2-1.
"I'd like to see it again," said Heath. "For some reason, the players are saying that the referee said something about, 'We have the wrong angles for VAR.' So, we've either got VAR or we haven't, so I don't really know. So, I'd like to see it again. One of our TV guys thought he was offside. I'll have to see it again. But obviously, it was disappointing because, if you look at what Bobby [Shuttleworth] has had to do tonight, he hasn't had to make, really, a lot of big saves. And that's another win for us. That's 11 wins now. Equal to last year's total, let's see where it takes us."
For the visitors, though, it was ultimately too little, too late as goalkeeper Bobby Shuttleworth - who was only forced to make two saves - swallowed up New York City's last decent chance before sending the ball long and sealing the win for the Loons.
Next up for Minnesota United is a trip to the City of Brotherly Love to face the Philadelphia Union on Saturday, October 6. That game is set to kick off at 6:30 p.m. CT with pre-game coverage beginning at 6 p.m. on FOX Sports North Plus, streaming on FOX Sports Go and on MNUFC Radio on 1500 ESPN.
Lineups
Minnesota United FC Starting XI: GK Bobby Shuttleworth; D Jerome Thiesson, Michael Boxall, Brent Kallman, Francisco Calvo; M Collen Warner, Rasmus Schuller, Miguel Ibarra, Alexi Gomez (Harrison Heath 83'), Darwin Quintero; F Angelo Rodriguez (Eric Miller 79')
MIN Unused Subs: GK Matt Lampson; D Wyatt Omsberg; M Ibson, Frantz Pangop; F Mason Toye
New York City FC: GK Sean Johnson; D Anton Tinnerholm, Sebastien Ibeagha, Alexander Callens, Ben Sweat (Ronald Matarrita 83'); M Eloi Amagat, Alexander Ring (Rodney Wallace 73'), Ebenezer Ofori, Valentin Castellanos; F Ismael Tajouri-Shradi, Jo Inge Berget (Jesus Medina 77')
NYC Unused Subs: GK Brad Stuver; M Thomas McNamera, James Sands, Kwame Awuah
Match Events
Goals
20' - Rodriguez (Ibarra, Quintero) - MIN
36' - Rodriguez - MIN
90+1' - Wallace (Castellanos) - NYC
Discipline
21' - Ring (YC) - NYC
45+2' - Warner (YC) - MIN
54' - Calvo (YC) - MIN
76' - Warner (2YC) - MIN
MINNESOTA UNITED QUOTES SHEET
MNUFC HEAD COACH ADRIAN HEATH
On if he has thawed out after a cold night on the sidelines ...
I didn't think it was as bad as people said. Maybe I'm getting used to it! I don't think so. No, I didn't think it was that bad tonight. And our first-half performance warmed me up. I was really pleased with us in the first half.
On which players impressed him in the win over NYCFC ...
I thought our two front guys in the first half made the midfield four do their job, because of the setup from the two front men. They took away [NYCFC's] third midfield player. And I thought our pressing, and when to press and where to press, was superb in the first half. It's something that we have been working on and tonight I thought it was excellent.
On what he was hoping to see from Alexi Gómez ...
Well, he put in a really good shift today. And it wasn't easy for him, he hasn't played a lot of football of late. But he - along with all the midfield guys - I was really, really pleased with us at halftime. For me, I was as impressed with our first-half performance as I was against Portland [Timbers]. Maybe not as pleasing on the eye to the supporters and maybe not the goals. But the way that we setup and the way that we went about trying to do what we did was excellent.
On whether he's concerned by another late goal ...
I'd like to see it again. For some reason, the players are saying that the referee said something about we have the wrong angles for VAR. So, we've either got VAR or we haven't, so I don't really know. So, I'd like to see it again. One of our TV guys thought he was offside. I'll have to see it again. But obviously, it was disappointing because, I thought we'd ... If you look at what Bobby [Shuttleworth] has had to do tonight, he hasn't had to make, really, a lot of big saves. You know, against Portland he had to come up when we needed him at times. Don't really think that's [happened] tonight. And tonight, sitting on the bench, I was a little bit more calm than I was last week. And that's another win for us. That's 11 wins now. Equal to last year's total, let's see what it takes us. You know, I'm really pleased with the group at the moment.
On a big performance from Ángelo Rodríguez ...
Yeah, he did. As I said, not only did he score - because goals can sometimes mislead you into thinking someone has had a really good performance. But tonight, I thought he worked really, really hard. Got all the stuff. Looked dangerous. And he's closing down from the front. Him and Darwin [Quintero] I thought were a catalyst for everything we did behind that. And, you know, that's something we've been working on with the front guys. So, that's a pleasing part of the game.
On how he evaluates the defensive performance ...
I thought we were good. I thought we were excellent first half. And as I say, I can't remember an awful lot that Bobby had to do. You know, he came up and made the saves he should have done. But no, we've looked a lot more solid the last few weeks.
On Rasmus Schuller and Collen Warner jumping in for Maximiano and Fernando Bob ...
I thought they were terrific. [Rasmus Schuller], you know, we had to give Ras a fitness test before the game as well. You know, we managed to keep that quiet, but he came through. It was one of his best performances of the season actually. I thought he was excellent. And obviously Collen [Warner] will be disappointed with the red card - he should have stayed on his feet, he didn't need to dive in. But overall, I'm pleased with all the guys.
On what about this first-half performance was similar to last weekend against Portland ...
The shape of the team, the pressing. When to press, where to press. And, you know, when you play against a team that's really good in possession and they have an extra body in midfield - New York City did - we had a lot of possession tonight, which is unusual against them because they got the spare man on. Because of the shape of the team, working from the front, I think they found that very difficult tonight.
On if the team specifically worked on shape this week in training ...
We've been working on it the last two or three weeks and I feel like everybody is getting on the same page with it now. It was nice to see.
On Darwin Quintero not having a typical high-scoring game ...
No. But hey, if he played like [he did today] every week then he would be some player, right? ... What does he have, 11 goals and 14 assists or something since he's been in? But hey, you saw him late on and the work he was doing for the group. And that's infectious. When your star player runs around and has a go like he does, it affects other people.
MNUFC FORWARD ÁNGELO RODRÍGUEZ
On his first goal ...
I knew Miguel [Ibarra] was going to put a cross in. Fortunately, I arrived to the back post. I didn't think I was going to get there, but I did and I was able to score the first goal.
On scoring a brace ...
It's always going to be important. I think you prepare for that: to work, to score goals, to play well so that the team wins. Fortunately, today that happened. That's why I came, to demonstrate what I've done throughout my career. So, this is just beginning. It's just about working and having confidence.
On the run on the second goal ...
I knew the defender was just looking at the goalkeeper. So, I think the opportune moment arrived. It's a play that, well, the coach wants us to be the first defenders up top.
On which of his two goals he liked better ...
The header. I think it was a play we've been looking for for a while -- to have the understanding on the final ball. I think, obviously all goals are nice, but I liked the header more.
On his first two months in Minnesota and the future ...
Well, I came with a lot of hope. I found a great group of guys, the technical staff has been good to me and that's made it easier to adapt. So, we'll say it this way, it's come a bit late, but I think we're going to get as many points as possible, see what happens and have a great preseason for next year.
MNUFC MIDFIELDER MIGUEL IBARRA
On if this was what they expected from NYCFC ...
It was just kind of how every team does it, they don't like our field so they rest their players. We had already talked about it. We weren't sure if they were going to do it or not so we were ready for it.
On if the weather conditions affected the game ...
No. I think we started this game how we left off the first half of the [Portland] game. We were pressing. We made sure we were on the front foot right off the bat.
On the cross for Ángelo Rodríguez's first goal ...
Prior to that, I already had two that I was looking for [Rodríguez] and they didn't go off. But then I had one clear one and I saw him making the second-post run. So, I put it in there and he had a great finish.
On if there were any pressing triggers he was looking for ...
No. Just making sure we were putting them under pressure and [when] we lose it, making sure we pressure to get the ball back.
On the importance of Rodríguez getting back in the goals ...
Really important. We know that once a forward gets hot he continues to score every game. So, him already having three goals is big for us.
MNUFC MIDFIELDER RASMUS SCHULLER
On the atmosphere and winning at home ...
A lot of energy from the home crowd. That's one of the reasons we got a few amount of points at home this season.
On his pregame fitness test and any late injury concerns ...
Yeah, I got a little knock yesterday in practice, but it turned out fine. So, no problem.
On jumping back into a two-man midfield after playing with three most of the season ...
It was fine. I mean, I played -- it was a while ago -- I played this position with Minnesota. But I played, a few weeks back, one 60 minute and one 90 minutes, in this position with the national team. So, it was an easy transition for me.
On Adrian Heath saying this was one of Schuller's best performances of the season ...
I think I played a good game, but I think I've been pretty consistent the whole season. So, I'm happy. I'm pretty happy with my personal season so far. Of course, we want more points with the team. But, we still have a few games left and [will] try to make the most of it.
On what ending the season on a good run of form means for the team ...
It's very important. I mean, mathematically we're not out of it yet, so that's what we're going for.
On if it's disappointing to get so close, but not get the shutout ...
Yeah. I think it was offside, but apparently the ref didn't agree with me. But, yeah, disappointing. It would have been nice to keep a clean sheet.
MNUFC GOALKEEPER BOBBY SHUTTLEWORTH
On the late goal against ...
Ah, I'm not sure. I've heard that it was offsides, but I'll have to watch it back and see. But from everything I'm told, they're saying that it was offsides.
On being so close to a shutout ...
Yeah, I mean, you know. There's been a couple games this year where maybe we've given up a late goal or something soft or whatever. But I think the defending was brilliant tonight. I think sometimes as a goalkeeper, you don't do anything and you get a shutout. And sometimes you make 10 saves and let in one. I think for the group it would have been fantastic because they deserved it.
On improving on last weekend's performance ...
Yeah, I mean, that's something that we spoke about at halftime. You know, we're in a pretty similar situation to where we were last week, how we pressed them and played really well in the first half and then let them back in. And I think tonight was definitely different. We came out in the second half and really continued to get after them and tried to create chances.
On the math saying playoffs are still a possibility ...
I think we're just taking it week to week. You know, Adrian keeps saying, we're just keeping it alive, and we'll worry about next week when we go to Philadelphia and then go from there. So for us, focus just goes to Philly and trying to get three points there.
On what he thought of Brent Kallman and Michael Boxall ...
Yeah, I thought both of them were fantastic. I think the whole group, but them especially. They were really, really good. In the right spot whenever they needed to be.
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