Facing a shorthanded FC Cincinnati side on Saturday afternoon, Minnesota United FC did not let complacency get the best of them and defeated FC Cincy 7-1 at Allianz Field. The number of goals scored and the margin of victory are both Minnesota club records during their MLS tenure.
After a strong start for the visitors, the Loons poured in four goals over 25 minutes to finish off the first half with an insurmountable lead. The onslaught started with a Jan Gregus set-piece delivery that was let through by the Orange and Blue defense and finished on the goalline by Ike Opara. Hassani Dotson followed up with an absolute screamer from 25 yards out. Ethan Finlay and Angelo Rodriguez both scored off of Darwin Quintero assists to wrap up the Loons' four-goal flurry. Opara, Mason Toye and Kevin Molino added a trio of second-half goals to pad the scoreline.
The loss is FC Cincy's sixth in a row in MLS play, though they were significantly shorthanded in this one due to international absences and injuries.
Goals
- 18' — MIN — Ike Opara | WATCH
- 23' — MIN — Hassani Dotson | WATCH
- 30' — MIN — Ethan Finlay | WATCH
- 43' — MIN — Angelo Rodriguez | WATCH
- 56' — CIN — Emmanuel Ledesma | WATCH
- 70' — MIN — Ike Opara | WATCH
- 75' — MIN — Mason Toye | WATCH
- 87' — MIN — Kevin Molino | WATCH
Three Things
- THE BIG PICTURE: The Loons needed to come away with three points at home in this match and they did exactly that, keeping pace in the Western Conference playoff race. FC Cincy will look to snap their skid when they get some of their players back from Gold Cup next week.
- MOMENT OF THE MATCH: Finlay's goal effectively put the game out of reach and was an epitomized FCC's poor defensive stretch.
- MAN OF THE MATCH: Quintero was a spark for the Loons' attack, providing two assists, and will hope to continue his strong run of form in a big match on Wednesday.
Next Up
- MIN: Wednesday, July 3 vs. San Jose Earthquakes (8 pm ET; MLS LIVE on ESPN+ in US, DAZN in Canada)
- CIN: Saturday, July 6 vs. Houston Dynamo (7:30 pm ET; MLS LIVE on ESPN+ in US, DAZN in Canada)
