Rather than experience a once-in-a lifetime event about 15 miles away, a stronghold of fans opted to support their hometown soccer team Wednesday night, and for it, were rewarded with a uninspiring performance.
While some of the casual fans might have been among the 60,000-plus curious souls funneling into U.S. Bank Stadium to watch an exhibition between AC Milan and Chelsea play in the first-ever event there, a loyal group announced at 6,101 watched Minnesota United FC play to a 1-1 tie with Puerto Rico FC at the National Sports Center in Blaine.
The Loons (3-1-2) have averaged 8,600 fans for home games this season. Though the result was not to his liking, the turnout was much appreciated by United coach Carl Craig.
"I know what it's like to follow a team passionately, so I totally respect, 'This is where you come, it doesn't matter what's going on anywhere else,' " said Craig, whose team plays at home again Saturday night against Miami FC.
"This is their team. That's what its all about. That's what matters. Not what's going on downtown. This is Minnesota United. We're their team, they're our followers. We came out to give them a show, didn't quite give enough, but nothing but absolute gratitude for those people who turned out."
Puerto Rico led 1-0 entering the second half, but an own-goal by Michael Kafari in the 47th minute tied the match at 1-1. Damion Lowe nearly scored the game-winner for United on a header in the 89th minute, but the shot was deflected by goalkeeper David Meves, who earlier in the second half made an amazing save on a shot by Danny Cruz from the top of the box in the 61st minute.
Puerto Rico's Joseph Marrero took advantage of sloppy ball handling to give his team a 1-0 lead in the fifth minute.
"We made an error in the fifth minute and dwelled on it until halftime until we had to wake them up in the dressing room," Craig said. "That's just not good enough. … A point is better than none, but really, we should have put them to bed tonight."
