Saturday 18th October 2014
NSC Stadium, Minnesota Attendance 5,817
Minnesota
United blew a great chance of clinching the Fall Championship, missing a late
penalty in a scoreless game with the Cosmos. The draw was useful for both
sides, with United clinching the #1 seed in the playoffs and Cosmos ensuring
they will also be involved in the playoffs.
The
home side had chances to take the lead in the first half. After 15mins Ibarra
left freeman trailing in his wake and squared the ball across goal. Lade should
have cleared the danger, but made a hash of it allowing Daniel Mendes to get an
effort off from close range, only for a brilliant save by Maurer to deny him.
On
the half hour mark Minnesota threatened again as Ibarra got on the end of a
Ramirez flick on, but after taking the ball round Maurer, Freeman was on hand
to clear the ball off the line.
Five
minutes later and Minnesota were denied again, this time by a poor refereeing
decision. Jordan was fouled midway in the Cosmos half, but still managed to get
a defence splitting pass off to Ibarra who was running through unchallenged on
goal. However much to the home sides anger, the referee had already blow for
the foul, a let off for the Cosmos.
The
second half was a stale affair, in the early stages Cosmos saw more of the
ball, but neither side could muster anything of note on goal.
Finally
there was something to excite the home crowd as on 74mins Ibarra was played in,
although he managed to take the ball round Maurer, Freeman was tracking back to
again snuff out the danger. The Cosmos had a rare sight on goal with 5mins left
of normal time, but Szetela could not quite get on the end of a well worked
move from the away side.
Just
seconds later Minnesota looked set to get the winner that would clinch the win
and the Fall Championship as they were awarded a penalty. Christian Ramirez got
on the end of a flick on and was upended from behind by Carlos Mendes who was
dismissed for the challenge. But fittingly in such a poor half the chance was
spurned as Ramirez blazed the effort wide, as the champagne went back on ice
for the home side.
Minnesota
piled forward in what was left of the match, but the Cosmos defence held firm
to ensure a share of the spoils.
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