Cosmos ties United on goal in 90th minute

The scoreboard at the National Sports Center Stadium in Blaine showed 1-1 long after the announced Minnesota United FC record crowd of 9,317 filed out.

Thrilled by a Pablo Campos goal in the ninth minute, Loons' fans, players and coaches alike went away stunned by New York's equalizer in the 90th minute. The goal kept the first-place Cosmos (5-0-4) undefeated in spring season play and made its all-time record against United 3-0-3.

"Today definitely feels like a loss," United defender Kevin Venegas said. "We all know what was riding behind that win."

Minnesota (3-1-4) entered the match in second place and needed a victory to stay in contention for the spring season crown and automatic playoff berth.

"We still can't quite figure out a way to get three points from them," United coach Manny Lagos said.

The formula looked solid earlier. Venegas curled his free kick into the perfect area for Campos to score. And he did, using his head to record career North American Soccer League goal No. 50.

That goal was not on his mind after the match.

Venegas insists his team isn't another Minnesota pro sports outfit incapable of beating a New York team.

"I don't think they have our number at all," Venegas said. "I think they were chasing the game.

"I think it'll come. If we have to tie them now to beat them later, I'd rather beat them later when it counts even more."

New York's Raul, Real Madrid's all-time leading scorer, got the tying goal. He slipped into space between defender Cristiano Dias and goalkeeper Sammy Ndjock and made Minnesota pay for losing him.

"He's a very smart player," Cosmos coach Giovanni Savarese said.