MLS Minnesota United FC

Minnesota United Earns A Shutout Win Against Colorado Rapids

August 31, 2023 - Major League Soccer (MLS)
Minnesota United FC News Release


SAINT PAUL, Minn. -- In a historic performance, Minnesota United earned a resounding 3-0 victory over the Colorado Rapids at Allianz Field on Wednesday night; Midfielder Emanuel Reynoso tied Darwin Quintero for most goals scored across all competitions in club history while goalkeeper Dayne St. Clair made five saves to become the all-time saves leader in club history with 223 saves.

12': Dayne St. Clair cleared the ball from the goal area, his ball over top reaching the feet of Emanuel Reynoso. The Argentine passed to Hassani Dotson, who dribbled to the top of the box and launched a shot at the net, missing just over the crossbar.

18': In the 16th minute, Reynoso drew a foul in the penalty area. He stepped to the spot and placed his shot in the bottom left corner for the go-ahead goal.

28': Ten minutes later, Reynoso bagged his brace. Ismael Tajouri-Shradi fired a shot on target but it was deflected and punched away by goalkeeper Marko Ilic. Tracking the ball, Reynoso made a run to the back post and put away the rebound.

43': Teemu Pukki notched Minnesota's third goal of the evening, running onto a through ball from Tajouri-Shradi. Pukki converted with a low-driven shot down the center of the box to score his first goal at Allianz Field.

75': Colorado Rapids had a chance at goal following a fast break. Cole Bassett struck a shot but Dayne St. Clair came off his line to confront the attack, blocking the shot in the goal area.

With the result, Minnesota United sit above the playoff line in Western Conference regular-season standings with an 9-8-8 (W-L-D) record and 35 points.

GOAL SUMMARY

1-0 MIN - Emanuel Reynoso, unassisted (18')

2-0 MIN - Emanuel Reynoso, unassisted (28')

3-0 MIN - Teemu Pukki, assisted by Ismael Tajouri-Shradi (43')

DISCIPLINARY SUMMARY

Caution, COL - Braian Galvan (48')

Caution, MIN - DJ Taylor (58')

Caution, COL - Sidnei Tavares (64')

Caution, COL - Danny Wilson (72')

Caution, COL - Connor Ronan (76')

Caution, COL - Moise Bombito (79')

NOTABLE STATS

27 - With his brace, Emanuel Reynoso has tied Darwin Quintero for most goals scored (27) across all competitions since joining the MLS in 2017.

22 - His two goals this evening have also tied Reynoso with Robin Lod for most goals scored in the regular season (22).

6 - Notably, Reynoso has the most multi-goal regular season games in club history with six games.

8 - After tonight's victory, Dayne St. Clair has reached a career high with eight regular-season shutouts.

1 - Tonight marks Ismael Tajouri-Shradi's first MNUFC start.

223 - Dayne surpassed Bobby Shuttleworth (219) in most regular season saves with 223 saves after making five saves in tonight's match.

ATTENDANCE: 19,634

BELL BANK MAN OF THE MATCH: Emanuel Reynoso

LINEUPS:

Minnesota United XI: GK Dayne St. Clair; D Joseph Rosales, Miguel Tapias, Michael Boxall, DJ Taylor; M Jan Gregus, Wil Trapp ©, Hassani Dotson, Emanuel Reynoso, Ismael Tajouri-Shradi; F Teemu Pukki

Bench: GK Eric Dick, Clint Irwin; D Ethan Bristow, Bakaye Dibassy, Zarek Valentin, Brent Kallman; M Franco Fragapane; F Sang Bin Jeong, Mender García

Colorado Rapids XI: GK Marko Ilic; D Andrew Gutman, Danny Wilson, Andreas Maxsø ©, Moise Bombito; Connor Ronan, Ralph Priso, Calvin Harris, Sidnei Tavares, Sam Nicholson; F Rafael Navarro

Bench: GK Abraham Rodriguez; D Lalas Abubakar, Sebastian Anderson, Steven Beitashour; M Danny Leyva, Cole Bassett, Braian Galván; F Darren Yapi, Kevin Cabral

UP NEXT:

MINNESOTA UNITED FC @ SAN JOSE EARTHQUAKES

PayPal Park | San Jose, California

09.02.2023 | MLS 2023 Regular Season | Matchday 30

9:30 p.m. CT (MLS Season Pass/1500 ESPN)

MINNESOTA UNITED POST GAME QUOTE SHEET

HEAD COACH ADRIAN HEATH

On the team performance...

"Obviously delighted to get the three points, the quick turnaround is never easy. But as I said to the players I thought that we were at extremes. When we were good, we were excellent... some of our movement with the ball. I thought that Ish [Ismael Tajouri-Shradi] did some great stuff getting in really good pockets and obviously it's nice for Rey [Emanuel Reynoso] to get back on the score sheet and Teemu [Pukki]. And then I thought we were really sloppy with the ball at times, and we gave them [Colorado Rapids] too many opportunities. I think nearly every opportunity that they had, I'm trying to recall a few of them, was when we had comfortable possession of the ball and we turned it over. Dayne [St. Clair] made a big save at three nil. If it goes to three-one with 20 minutes left, you've got a game on your hands again. That was the only disappointment."

On if he felt that three points were crucial tonight...

"No, before tonight's game, we had 30 points to play for. That's an awful lot of points. And you need to win two or three games, we've got two or three games in hand, we've got three games in hand on one team I think, Sporting [Kansas City], and games in hand on a couple others. At this stage of the season they're all important, but I think the important thing for us has been to get back to winning ways at home."

On opening up Colorado's defense...

"Our movement, combination play, timing of getting into little pockets. I thought especially down the right-hand side in the first half. I thought Hassani [Dotson] was outstanding again. I thought Ish [Ismael Tajouri-Shradi] - he's had a couple of weeks of not doing much - was terrific. His understanding of the way that I want him to play is outstanding at times. He makes defenders and fullbacks make difficult decisions."

On Emanuel Reynoso tying Darwin Quintero's goal record...

"Both are incredibly talented number tens who affect the game. I say it all the time: the players that cost the most money are the ones that score and make goals. And Rey [Emanuel Reynoso], when he's playing well, does exactly that."

On being in if he hopes that they remain in the playoff seeding...

"You hope so but there's a long way to go, a lot of points still to play and we've got a lot of games against teams in and around us. I said it'll probably go to the last few games and it probably will again. It nearly always seems to go to the last match of the season. We've had a couple of them, I think we've had three of them. Hopefully it won't be that tight, but I think it's going to be tight all the way down the stretch."

On Ismael Tajouri-Shradi stepping into the starting lineup and playing well...

"One of my first texts that I got when we signed him was from Bruce Arena who said 'you got not only a great kid, you got a really, really good player. And if you can keep him fit and healthy, he'll do really well for you.' That's been proven, everything that Bruce said because even in training, he's a really talented footballer."

On Joseph Rosales versatility...

"When we first spotted him, he was playing central midfield in the game and then went to wide left and then ended up at fullback and he's done all of that for us. Another kid who gets the game, great appetite to play, really good left foot, wants to join in. When I look at the likes of him and Hassani [Dotson], Sang Bin [Jeong], people forget that Mender [Garcia] is only 23. We've got some really good, young players and I really enjoy working with them. We've got a nucleus here of some really good, young players that I think that over the next few years will blossom into really top MLS players."

On if the team hadn't been able to find Teemu Pukki on runs in the box...

"Occasionally, I think. But if I look at all the chances that he's gotten himself or that we've created for him, he could easily be sitting on six or seven goals. At the end of the day, he makes the runs in because he's made them his whole career. As long as you keep making them, getting in the right spots, eventually you'll score goals."

On if Ismael Tajouri-Shradi's play is making him move the lineup around...

"The one thing that I do like is having good players. You can't have too many of them. The time that he's come back in and played like he has with Bongi's [Bongokuhle Hlongwane] injury, you know we want Bongi to come back maybe this weekend or if not certainly the week after. We've got an abundance of really good, young attacking pieces I think."

On how satisfied is he with the wing play the last few games...

"It's been excellent but it's not just the wing play. You know you have to do both sides of the ball. The way the game is now, teams see you so much and they're so well organized that If you only want to play when you've got the ball, it's very difficult to get a game consistently in a team. You've got to do both sides of the game. You've got to do the dirty work, which at times, is working in both halves of the field, and then to never shirk from doing that job and taking that responsibility on."

On if he hopes that Teemu Pukki's goal will lead to more...

"You do but I spoke to him and said 'you just got to keep on doing what you've done throughout your career.' But with goalscorers, that can start you off on a run and get your confidence going again. We have to hope that's what is going to happen because if we want to be where I think we can be, we're going to need him to score maybe five or six goals between now and the end of the season."

On Bongokuhle Hlongwane's injury update...

"Saturday, day-to-day, maybe. If not, certainly the week after."

FORWARD TEEMU PUKKI

On the significance of scoring tonight...

"We always do, it's a big thing. I haven't scored so many goals that I was wishing for [yet], but it was important to get that [goal] out of the way and [it] will give me confidence for the next games."

On the offensive runs he makes and his style of play...

"Yeah, obviously that is my strength, the movement behind and the scoring goals. It was a perfect ball from Izzy [Ismael Tajouri-Shradi]. There need to be more goals like that and I believe I will score more goals. Obviously, I haven't been here too long yet, so we're still learning from each other. Big games are coming up, so it was good to get that goal and three points as well."

On his comfortability with the system/team/environment ...

"Yeah, I'm getting there, to know everything about everything. I came from the holiday, so I didn't have a real preseason at all. It's always different, normally you have a preseason to start with, but now [for me] it was straight into games. But, I feel much better now, fitness wise and also playing wise, and I have my family now here so that's a big thing. I think I'm pretty close to feeling really that I'm finally here."

On his effort during a scoreless stretch and if he might have been trying too hard to get back on the scoresheet...

"Yeah, it could be, I haven't had too many chances either, so that's important to get chances to score goals. But, there were some instances I should have scored in the last games. I was not thinking about it too much. Being around football, or soccer, for quite a long [time]. I knew it would come eventually."

On if Head Coach Adrian Heath being a fellow and former striker and possibly providing advice to him...

"It was more like him leaving me to do my own thing. I've played quite a lot as well, so I know what I have to do. It was important to get that goal; I believe that will help me in the next game."

On Robin Lod sharing any experience advice with him to help acclimate to MLS...

"Something like that, we speak about lots of stuff. Obviously, he... but I remember when he came, it was not very easy stuff for him either. But, it will be better."

On using his prior experience in promotion and relegation battles to help the team out the rest of the season...

"I try to help in any way I can. Yeah, we had many puzzles like that with Norwich [City FC] and I hope I can help with those experiences I had with them."

On his impressions of Emanuel Reynoso...

"He's a world-class player: Scoring, creating. I enjoy playing with him. He's a really, really good player."

MIDFIELDER EMANUEL REYNOSO

On earning a win at home...

[SPA]: "Contento que pudimos ganar en nuestra casa. Sabíamos que iba a ser difícil. Creo que manejabamos el partido durante este partido. Con errores nuestros, ellos [Colorado Rapids] atacaban y nos complicaban. Creo que por lo general, hicimos un gran partido. Contento que pudimos ganar y darles alegría a la gente acá que siempre nos apoya."

[ENG]: I'm pleased that we were able to win at home. We knew that it was going to be difficult. I think we controlled the game. With our mistakes, they [Colorado Rapids] attacked and made it complicated for us. I think in general, we played a great game. I'm happy that we were able to win and give joy to the fans that always support us."

On Ismael Tajouri-Shradi and Teemu Pukki's performances...

[SPA]: "Si. Por ahí Ismael entró y tuvo un partido que jugar de titular y lo hecho muy bien. Me metió un gran pase para [Teemu] Pukki, que también es importante que Pukki convierta porque necesitamos que él haga goles para que siga dándonos alegría. Como dije recién, en línea general, creo que fue un partido increíble de todos, digo. Hay que seguir mejorando y seguir trabajando para jugar en California que va a ser muy duro también."

[ENG]: "Yeah. Ismael [Tajouri-Shradi] came on and had to start the game and did a good job. He gave me a good pass for [Teemu] Pukki, which is also important that Pukki converts because we need him to score goals to keep giving us joy. As I said before, in general, I think it was an incredible game for everyone, I'd say. We have to keep getting better and continue working to play in California which will be difficult as well."

MIDFIELDER ISMEAL TAJOURI-SHRADI

On first start for MNUFC...

"Very happy to be back into the first eleven and my first start for Minnesota. I enjoyed every minute and especially with a good win at home. Now let's focus on the next game."

On how important this result was...

"Very important. Especially after the game against Seattle [Sounders] when we only got a draw, we wanted three points at home. Especially important tonight against Colorado [Rapids] to get the momentum going for the next away game. It's going to be difficult but we are ready to get three points."

On the emphasis to get through balls into Teemu Pukki...

"We know that [Teemu] Pukki can score. I just got the ball and saw that Teemu made the run - he always makes this run - and basically just gave him, what I would say is a perfect pass because I know the way he runs behind the defenders, the very smart runs he makes. I gave him a good ball and a good touch from him and a second touch basically in the goal and it was important to get to 3-0 before the half."

On what you and Adrian Heath have discussed...

"Adrian [Heath] knows what kind of player I am. He has been telling me to just play my game and help the team. SoI have been trying to do that every moment I play."

On your assist tonight...

"I just saw the opening. I saw [Teemu] Pukki running and a perfect pass, a perfect touch and a perfect goal."

On what you can provide to the locker room down the final stretch...

"I think we are in a good place. We know it has been tough, but we know we are at the end of the season and this is the last push, we just need to keep playing and improve a few things, but we are in a good run. With the 3-0 win tonight it will give us a lot of confidence to continue our wins away and at home to get to the playoffs. And we know that when you are in you can basically win the league and take it game-by-game."

On if you were pushing for more playing time...

"Yes of course. I came here to do my best and enjoy every moment. Especially with what happened last year. I am enjoying every moment and trying to get the rhythm as we are doing now. Every minute [whether] a start or off the bench I am trying to help the team and push for the playoffs, that is our focus and we are going to keep doing that."

On comparing Darwin Quintero to Emanuel Reynoso...

"Now that I have been in every training with Rey [Emanuel Reynoso] - and with [Darwin] Quintero we know he has been amazing here, we played against him a few times with [NYCFC] he was a really top player - but as I said now with Rey I can see what he does and it's just magic, we can call it magic because from nothing he can do something and we know that. I am very glad to have him and especially now with the last push we need every player in good form and Rey is very important for the team. The whole team needs to push for wins and the playoffs."

On Emanuel Reynoso's dribble that earned a penalty...

"He [Emanuel Reynoso] does it every time and it works perfectly. He does it in training and in games and it always works perfectly and again today."

On if you have noticed Emanuel Reynoso dealing with any injuries...

"Players like him [Emanuel Reynoso] who play like he does are always going to get some - especially the other opponents know that he is very dangerous with the ball so they are going to try to, not saying hurt him, but try to play differently against him. He does it very well, he's a smart player when he does it."

On the depth of this team...

"We are for sure missing Bongi [Bongokuhle Hlongwane]. He has been on fire for us. We can't wait to have him back. But with Bongi not in the squad we have seen that we also have players who can play on the wing, like Hassani [Dotson], [Joseph] Rosales, Sang Bin [Jeong]. We have players who can play on the wing and we saw in the last few games that every player is important and we are going to have to just stay healthy and push for the playoffs."

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