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MLS Minnesota United FC

MNUFC Overcomes Two Late Goals to Advance in Shootout in U.S. Open Cup

May 10, 2023 - Major League Soccer (MLS)
Minnesota United FC News Release


SAINT PAUL, Minn. -- Minnesota United hosted runners-up of the Audi 2022 MLS Cup, the Philadelphia Union, in the Round of 32 of the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup, securing 3(7)-3(6) victory over the Eastern Conference side after 120 minutes of play and a shootout.

The start of the match was slow and controlled, with the Loons dominating the stat line on nearly all fronts. Minnesota managed the first 45 minutes of the game with 59% possession, generating multiple chances at goal and outshooting their opponents. The Loons deviated from their typical 4-2-3-1 and employed a 3-5-2 formation. Philadelphia saw their first solid chance at goal in the 35th minute when former NASL-era Loon, Damion Lowe launched a shot at goalkeeper Clint Irwin, who tipped the ball over the crossbar. Midfielder Joseph Rosales led MNUFC in scoring attempts in the first half, creating Minnesota's best chance in the 40th minute with a left footed strike from the top of the Union's box that sailed just wide of the post.

The second half followed a similar cadence to the first. In the 68th minute, DJ Taylor crossed the ball deep into Philadelphia's defensive third, finding forward Bongokuhle Hlongwane who headed the ball into the top right corner of the net. Hlongwane's goal was his third of the season in all competitions. Just over five minutes later, Hlongwane was on the run again, driving towards goal. Hlongwane, after a series of cutbacks, connected a pass to Joseph Rosales at the top of the box, who took a left footed shot and found the back of the net. The goal was Rosales' first goal with the club across all competitions.

It didn't take long for Philadelphia to answer back, despite being held scoreless for nearly 80 minutes. Wil Trapp's pass forward was deflected, causing Chris Donovan to gain control to put a shot on the net and past Irwin. Seeking the equalizing goal, Philadelphia attacked Minnesota with a high press. In the waning seconds of the match, Kai Wagner struck a shot off the volley leveling the match at 2-2 moments before the final whistle in regulation.

Minnesota United was eager to regain their lead and found success in the 103rd minute. Joseph Rosales battled for the ball in the corner of the pitch and was able to drive a low ball through the Philadelphia defense to the feet of Bongokuhle Hlongwane, who once again, was able to capitalize on his space and bagged a brace to give the home side a 3-2 advantage.

Hoping to spoil the party again, Philadelphia Union fought for control of the match. Kai Wagner laced a free kick through the MNUFC wall and into the upper-left past the fingertips of Clint Irwin. This would once again come as the last moment before the final whistle, forcing both sides into a shootout to decide the match. After eight rounds, MNUFC secured the win, converting seven penalties to six with two big saves by Clint Irwin.

With the win, Minnesota United will advance to the Round of 16. The Loons will learn their next opponent during the next round draw on Thursday, May 11.

ATTENDANCE: 4,216

LINEUPS:

Minnesota United XI: GK Clint Irwin; D Kemar Lawrence, Miguel Tapias, Brent Kallman, Michael Boxall, DJ Taylor; M Joseph Rosales, Hassani Dotson, Robin Lod; F Sang Bin Jeong, Mender Garcia

Bench: GK Dayne St. Clair; D Zarek Valentin; M Kervin Arriaga, Franco Fragapane, Wil Trapp; F Bongokuhle Hlongwane, Cameron Dunbar

Philadelphia Union XI: GK Andre Blake; D Jack Elliot, Nathan Harriel, Damion Lowe, Matthew Real; M Jesus Bueno, Jack McGlynn, Andres Perea, Joaquin Torres; F Christopher Donovan, Mikael Uhre

Bench: GK Joseph Bendik; D Kai Wagner; M Leon Flach, Daniel Gazdag, Richard Odada; F Julian Carranza, Jeremy Rafanello

UP NEXT:

MINNESOTA UNITED FC @ SPORTING KANSAS CITY

Children's Mercy Park | Kansas City, Kansas

05.13.2023 | MLS 2022 Regular Season | Matchday 12

7:30 pm CT (MLS Season Pass/1500 ESPN)

MINNESOTA UNITED POST GAME QUOTE SHEET

HEAD COACH ADRIAN HEATH

On the 120 minutes of play...

"I'm pleased for the players. I thought it would've been tragic, a travesty, if we hadn't won the game. It felt like we've had to win three games, the last kick of the game but twice. And then showed a lot of character with the penalties because it's very easy to feel deflated when you concede the last kick of the game, and we'd done it twice. So, great character. I'm pleased for Clint [Irwin]. I thought there were some decent performances, like Bongi [Bongokuhle Hlongwane] gave us a real lift when he'd come on. He might keep listening to us about getting into them one-touch finish areas as he'd done again today. Him and Fraga [Franco Fragapane] gave us a lift when they'd come on."

On a storyline finish for Clint Irwin after saving Kai Wagner's penalty attempt...

"Yeah, he's fantastic on dead balls, isn't he? That was why it went late on. When I'd seen him running up, I'm thinking 'this is one of the few people you want to have that opportunity' because he's got a wonderful left foot. Even his free kicks, he puts them in such a good area, every time he puts it in with the pace that you need. It's Cup football. I've had a lot of these games where you sometimes think 'we've had a bit of luck' or 'how did we manage that' but in Cup football, nobody cares. Win and advance, on we go."

On handling the intensity of the Philadelphia Union...

"If you don't, against Philly [Philadelphia Union], you're not winning the game. That's something we spoke about before the game. Of all the teams in the league, I think that Jim [Curtin] does an incredible job with this group. You know what you're getting. Even when you're ahead two-nil, I know that they're going to have a chance at some stage, and then when they get the next goal, you know they're not going to quit. They're going to keep going. I'm pleased we've got through against a really well organized and well coached team... that's what Philly are."

On playing a 5-3-2 formation...

"It was an opportunity for us to see how it goes again. I thought, when we changed to that system in Vancouver, it caused Vancouver some problems. I'd like to be able to say we've had so much time to work on it, that's why we know what we do. We haven't worked on it. We didn't get back until 12:30 on Sunday evening, so we've had no time to do it. I thought there was some positive moments for us. Playing out the back, I thought, at times, we knew where to find the spare man, and it certainly gives us an option moving forward. Brent Kallman actually come in and was outstanding this evening."

On encouraging DJ Taylor and Joseph Rosales to go forward...

"To go forward, that's the width. That's where you get your width from, get higher up the pitch, engage with their fullbacks, and then hopefully, your spare man in midfield- it's a little bit different with these because they play a very tight-knit diamond in midfield. But I thought there was some good passages of football."

On giving up leads at home...

"The two goals, I'll have to have a look at them again, but you've got to close games out. We've done it [with] Vancouver, we've done it twice this evening. Orlando, that was late as well, wasn't it? Red Bulls. It's something that we'll obviously have to speak about. It becomes an art in itself seeing games out. Actually playing the game of what comes and defending the goal with your life, so we'll have to speak about that."

On expecting Philadelphia's roster and personnel...

"They left a few out on Saturday, didn't they? And then they brought them back in tonight, so we weren't totally surprised by their team. You look at the team that they had on the field at the end, they were all on there. [Daniel] Gazdag and [Kai] Wagner had come on, and [Leon] Flach had come on. As I've said, they're a good team, and they never give in. It didn't surprise me that it went as long as it did this evening."

On the importance of Joseph Rosales' performance...

"He was running on fumes at the end. He's really, really tired because he hasn't played 90 minutes- I'd like to see the last time he played a full 90 [minutes]. He's a competitive kid. He gives you what he's got. Tonight, he's played left-back, left wingback, he's been in the middle. We've got a lot of time for Joe [Joseph Rosales].

On the confidence he has in center backs taking penalty kicks...

"Well actually, they took some great penalties this evening. When you look at BK's [Brent Kallman], top-corner, and Boxy [Michael Boxall], Micky [Miguel Tapias]. It's pressure situations, and I'm glad to say that most of them handled it perfectly."

On Franco Fragapane's chance at goal and how it affected the game...

"Do you want to hear what I thought? It was to finish the game off. As I said, I thought them two [Bongokuhle Hlongwane and Franco Fragapane] actually gave us a bit of life when they came on. I know the game was opened up then and there was a bit more space than there was earlier in the game, but I thought that Bongi and Fraga did really well when they went up front, the pair of them."

On preparing for the upcoming match at Sporting Kansas City...

"A little bit of rest and then reach in the next couple of days and get some video work into them. Read some stuff about Sporting Kansas City the last few days. They've gone from being one of the best coached teams in the league to suddenly, nobody knows what they're doing, which has never been the case. I don't think it's a coincidence that at the weekend, [Alan] Pulido scored and Johnny Russell's back. They're getting their better players back. If you look at their results, but then you look at their performance and how many opportunities they've created, nearly every game they've had more chances than the opposition. That was never going to continue. As I've said before, I've got an incredible amount of respect for Peter [Vermes] and his staff, so it didn't surprise me that they were capable of going and winning in a really difficult place."

GOALKEEPER CLINT IRWIN

On 120 minutes of action was enough with a packed schedule in May...

"I think we're going to figure out if it is. We were out there for a while. Probably not ideal for our next set of games, but, we were able to find the result and grind through it and just kind of ride the waves through this [U.S.] Open Cup competition, which always seems to throw some interesting challenges to you. A great night to finish with the win and move on."

On preparing for penalty kick scenarios ahead of Tuesday night's match...

"I've got to give a shoutout first to David [Handgraaf], who is our video analyst who prepared us and sent us the clips of all the guys that he had. Stew Kerr did a great job getting us ready. Then, Dayne [St. Clair], on the last penalty, gave me a little tip there. So, it was a total team effort to prepare for them [Philadelphia Union] and those guys put me in a great position to come up with the saves as well as all of our guys sticking in some great penalties. It's so huge as a goalkeeper, for us to go first and then to put the pressure on the other team by scoring. So, our guys hit some great penalties and were able to build the pressure on them, and then you've just got to come up with a couple saves."

On what Dayne St. Clair said to him ahead of the final Philadelphia penalty kick attempt...

"I'm just going to keep that between us. We're doing well to help each other out and I just want to give him a little shoutout on that one."

On if saving Kai Wagner's penalty shootout attempt was a vengeful storyline for him...

"I honestly hadn't even thought about that. We were just trying to make saves back there. I don't really look at who the guy is. Obviously when he steps up for the penalty, you're kind of going through the Rolodex and trying to remember. What was that, seventh or eighth round? At that point, you're starting to go on instinct versus any research. I wasn't really thinking about him personally."

On hearing the crowd sing 'Wonderwall' for the first time as a MNUFC player...

"It was amazing. We've been trying to get that feeling back in the stands and it's great to get a result at home and just hear that, especially after a game like that."

On if 'Wonderwall' was different from previously hearing it as an opposing player...

"I was probably in the tunnel already trying to get off the field when you're on the other side. To be a part of it and share that moment with the guys was cool."

On what it means to get the first home win of 2023...

"We were 2-0 up and to give up the result in the 94th minute and then the 120th minute, probably a lot of people expect you to crumble and to fall apart in penalties. But, I think we showed a lot of steel to get through that and the guys really grinded. I think you saw both teams have played a bunch of matches and we kept our nerve and guys hit some great penalties. I think it showed that we can deliver some punches, we can take some punches, but we can overcome it too."

On what it has been like integrating into the MNUFC squad...

"It's been great, honestly. From the moment I got here, the locker room has been super welcoming. It's a fun group to be a part of and guys just kind of do their job. Not a whole lot of drama or histrionics or anything like that. It's just come in, do your business, contribute to the team anyway you can and those are always the groups that are most fun to be a part of. Our goalkeeper group is no different. I saw Fred Emmings up there, too. I was saying, 'hey, I had to do you one-better than you did this weekend'. So, we're all kind of pushing towards the same goal. There's going to be ups and downs throughout. Ups and downs through games, ups and downs through the season and hopefully you can use this as a platform to push forward."

On besting Andre Blake in the penalty-kick shootout tonight...

"I don't think into too much about who the other goalkeeper is. For goalkeepers, you understand that in penalties, there's always going to be heroes, there's always going to be guys who are going to have tough moments. As a goalkeeper, I don't think the pressure is on you necessarily. I know Andre, he's had countless penalty shootouts where he's won. I've won a few, you lose a few - it's just the nature of the game."

On what his last penalty-kick shootout was that he was a part of...

"Probably MLS Cup Final [2016]. I think about that one a lot. We lost that one, and to get back to these moments and to be able to write the story that way is special for me, just to be part of this competition [U.S. Open Cup]. It's one where it's kind of where I started my career back in 2012 with Charlotte [Dynamo]; we kind of went on a little bit of a run. This competition means a lot to me and I always want to do well in it."

On if he gets any confidence when watching his back-line convert their attempts...

"To be honest, we're on the side, so we don't really know what the order is going to be, so whenever I see guys step up, I'm just hoping again, 'are they going to put the pressure on?' Our guys, they did a great job making the penalties, keeping the pressure on Philly [Philadelphia Union] and then at that point, I'm trying to get us back square so that we can get back on level terms and continue to put the pressure on. So, every time those guys step up and can stick one away, it's massive for the goalkeepers."

On his thoughts on Philadelphia's final goal against him in extratime...

"I have to go back and look at exactly what happened. He [Kai Wagner] strikes it pretty well onto that side and I haven't had a chance to look at that replay and see exactly what went wrong. We'll take a look at it. He strikes it well, kind of curls it. I don't know if I was totally going to be able to get there, but we'll look at it and do better next time."

On if he feels like the hero of the night...

"No, I think all of these guys are. From guys who came on, really put on a shift. Guys at the beginning put on a shift. I think Bongi [Bongokuhle Hlongwane] was absolutely electric when he came on and just put pressure on their back-line and ran with the space and had some incredible finishes. Yes, I made a couple saves, but at the same time, all these guys who made their penalties, put us in that position to have that opportunity to keep the game going, to keep the pressure on Philly [Philadelphia Union] and then you just have to come up with one [save] in sudden death. I think it was a total performance from everyone."

ATTACKER BONGOKUHLE HLONGWANE

On winning for the first time at home this season...

"It means a lot for us. I thought we were going to finish it [during regulation] because we were up 2-0, but they scored two goals and we went to extra time and I thought we were going to win, but they came back and scored the equalizer in the last minute. I am happy to win our first game at home. Since we started we haven't won at home, so hopefully when we play Houston we will do the same."

On how it feels to contribute two goals and assist tonight...

"It means a lot, it helped my confidence because I haven't scored in six games. I was talking to my mom today and said 'today we play and hopefully we can score, because it's been awhile. And she said, 'that's your job, you have to so people in Minnesota who give us their love, we can show our appreciation for them by scoring goals. So I am happy."

On the influence of his family support instilling confidence...

"Always, they believe in me. Because they know who I am. So I have to believe in myself so they can believe in me. If I don't believe in myself they can't believe in me. So I have to believe first."

On how it felt to hear 'Wonderwall' again...

"It's been a while. But I still need to learn the song. I am happy when I hear it. It makes me feel good because I see the people's joy."

On the fans and social media thinking you are a hero...

"It makes me happy, everything we do here is about the team. They talk about me and they talk about the team. If the team happy, the fans are happy then I am happy. If they are not happy then i need to do demand more from myself and my teammates. We need to do that every time."

On Philadelphia being very physical team and how the win tonight impacts the team moving forward...

"We played against them in preseason and they were very good and we were not that good in preseason, but they were doing well. I was talking to Ryan [Natusch, equipment manager, MNUFC], we played Philly and what they showed us in preseason I don't think they can [tonight] but we will see today."

On one of the goals tonight standing out...

"The header. Yes, yes. In training everyone, when we do finishing, sometimes I get shot [attempts] with my head and I sometimes struggle and they laugh at me. I think you saw that Fraga [Franco Fragapane] came up to me and said 'cabeza', and I said 'yeah!' and touched my head. So that one means the most."

On who controls the music in the locker room...

"Fraga, [Franco Fragapane]. Always Fraga.

On whether his selections are good and what would he like to hear...

"No. [I would rather hear] my songs.

On how he feels in his changing roles on the offense...

"It doesn't matter to me. Where I came from I was playing as a striker. The team, by the time they signed me I was playing as a striker. I know that I can play on the wing and today I played as a striker and I think I did well."

On how important it is to close out games...

"We need to convert our chances, that's how we can win our games. When you check, maybe winning 1-0 and they score the equalizer. You can look at when we played FC Dallas, how many chances we had. We had maybe 7-8 chances and we couldn't convert any. So if we can work on our finishing every time, then no one can stop us. If we are creating chances and we can't convert and maybe the opponent scores one and we lose the game. I might have like a shit game, but get the result. This is the league, it's about results. Everything is about results. So if you can't get the result you are not doing well."

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