Minnesota get equalizer in final minute to tie Crew

Updated: Mar 2, 2024, 04:39 pm

Tani Oluwaseyi scored in the 90+5 minute to rally Minnesota United to a stunning 1-1 tie with the Columbus Crew in St. Paul, Minnesota, on Saturday in the Loons' home opener.

Playing past the allotted four minutes of stoppage time, Oluwaseyi caught goalkeeper Patrick Schulte off the line at the right post and placed the ball past him to the far corner to keep Minnesota unbeaten (1-0-1, 4 points).

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Dayne St. Clair made five saves for Minnesota and was only beaten by Cucho Hernandez in the 59th minute for the 2023 MLS Cup champion Crew (1-0-1, 4 points).

Schulte made three saves.

Hernandez scored his second of the season for the Crew. Yaw Yeboah's lay back was one-touched by Hernandez, who looked up then ripped a strike from 21 yards to the lower left corner.

He has a goal contribution in 10 consecutive matches, including the postseason. He scored 16 goals last season in the regular season.

Schulte preserved the lead in the 79th with his save on a Loic Mesanvi volley to the left post.

St. Clair was the difference in the first half with four saves.

The best was a brilliant stop of Hernandez in the 34th minute to deny the reigning MLS Cup MVP. Hernandez pounded a header from 6 yards that bounced in front of St. Clair but he deflected the shot with his left kneecap.

He stopped Max Arfsten in the 39th minute and on the edge of halftime, pushed away a shot from the middle of the box by Diego Rossi.

Meanwhile, Schulte's only save of the opening half came in the 8th minute when he came out to challenge Teemu Pukki on the left side of the box. Schulte slid to block the shot.

The Loons played their second match under interim head coach Cameron Knowles. On Monday, the team announced the signing of former Manchester United assistant Eric Ramsay as the new head coach, but he has not yet joined the Minnesota staff.

Minnesota for the second straight match was without forward Bongokuhle Hlongwane, who also missed part of the preseason while in South Africa obtaining his U.S. green card. The Loons were also without midfielder Emanuel Reynoso (knee injury).