New York Red Bulls and Minnesota United both walked away with a point after an intense battle that ended in a 2-2 draw in Week 18 of the MLS.
The match started with a bang as New York Red Bulls took the lead early when Emil Forsberg scored in the 10th minute. However, Minnesota United quickly regrouped and turned the game around with goals from Kelvin Yeaboah in the 31st minute and Anthony Markanich just before halftime at the 44th minute. Just when it seemed like Minnesota would take the win, Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting struck late in the 89th minute to level the score 2-2, capitalizing on a moment of confusion in the Minnesota defense.
Markanich almost doubled Minnesota’s lead with a chance that struck the post in the 75th minute, leaving fans on edge as the match continued.
Despite New York’s aggressive approach—registering 18 shots on goal and hitting the target 9 times—their efforts were not enough to overturn the deficit until Choupo-Moting’s late equalizer.
Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting was undoubtedly the star of the match, scoring a crucial goal and attempting 5 shots on target. Meanwhile, Kelvin Yeaboah also made a significant contribution for Minnesota by finding the net.
New York’s coach, Sandro Schwarz, opted for a 3-5-2 formation, featuring goalkeeper Carlos Coronel; defenders Sean Nealis, Kyle Duncan, and Noah Eile; midfielders Omar Valencia, Peter Stroud, Emil Forsberg, Felipe Carballo, and Mohammed Sofo; and forwards Serge Ngoma and Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting.
On the other hand, Minnesota United’s coach, Eric Ramsay, employed a 5-4-1 setup, with Wessel Speel in goal; defenders Julian Gressel, Nicolás Romero, Michael Boxall, Jefferson Díaz, and Anthony Markanich; midfielders Robin Lod, Wil Trapp, Bongokuhle Hlongwane, and Joaquín Pereyra; and forward Kelvin Yeaboah.
The match took place at Sports Illustrated Stadium, officiated by referee Ricardo Montero Araya.
As for their upcoming fixtures, New York Red Bulls will travel to face San José Earthquakes, while Minnesota United will visit FC Dallas.
Substitutions for New York Red Bulls:
- 57’ 2T – Serge Ngoma out for Wikelman Carmona and Felipe Carballo out for Ronald Donkor
- 77’ 2T – Sean Nealis out for Alexander Hack, Peter Stroud out for Wiktor Bogacz, and Anthony Markanich out for Devin Padelford
- 79’ 2T – Omar Valencia out for Julian Hall
Yellow Cards for New York Red Bulls:
- 43’ 1T – Emil Forsberg (Unsportsmanlike conduct)
- 46’ 2T – Sandro Schwarz (Dissent towards the referee)
Red Card for New York Red Bulls:
- 50’ 2T – Sandro Schwarz (Direct red)
Substitutions for Minnesota United:
- 19’ 1T – Wessel Speel out for Alec Smir
- 67’ 2T – Bongokuhle Hlongwane out for DJ Taylor, Julian Gressel out for Owen Gene, and Kelvin Yeaboah out for Jeong Sangbin
Yellow Cards for Minnesota United:
- 21’ 2T – Alec Smir (Delay of game)
- 38’ 2T – Nicolás Romero (Unsportsmanlike conduct)