Fans pack stadium, United draws 2-2 with San Antonio in home opener

Fireworks roared after Minnesota United FC's home opening match Saturday, their light making clear the dour expressions of players who got almost everything they wanted.

There was passion. The announced sellout crowd of 9,233 fans at Blaine's National Sports Center Stadium set an attendance record for the third-year franchise. There was pageantry. Parachutists touched down after player introductions and halftime featured a successful marriage proposal. In the end, however, came a bittersweet 2-2 tie with San Antonio after a late Scorpions goal on a penalty kick.

"It's always frustrating giving up a late goal, especially when we thought we were the better team the entire game," said Minnesota forward Christian Ramirez, who also converted on a second-half penalty kick to give the Loons a 2-1 lead.

Saturday's match featured a showdown of strong 2014 teams off to trying starts. A tie means both Minnesota (0-1-2) and defending North American Soccer League champion San Antonio (0-2-1) remain without a victory.

Nevertheless, drawing even in the final minute of regulation on the road was a moral victory for the Scorpions.

"I tell these guys they have to fight for 95 minutes," San Antonio coach Alen Marcina said. "You do that and the odds are on your side."

An audacious goal put San Antonio ahead in the eighth minute. Zourab Tsiskaridke's free kick from about 65 yards sailed over the head of goalkeeper Sammy Ndjock, who admitted he was "not 100 percent" expecting a shot in that situation.

The goal was United's first of the season and Campos' first in a regular-season match since the 2013 finale. He missed all but three games last season with a knee injury.

"After a year and a half, it's a great feeling," said Campos, who marked the moment by snapping a selfie with teammate Geison Moura.

In the second half, a San Antonio player knocked down Jonny Steele inside the Scorpions' 18-yard box and gave the Loons a penalty kick. Ramirez, who led the NASL last season with 20 goals, got the call. He buried his chance for a 2-1 United lead in the 59th minute.

But a San Antonio penalty kick goal from Rafael Castillo tied the game at 2-2 in the 90th minutes and drew the ire of United coach Manny Lagos. A midair collision with Ndjock sent Scorpions forward Marvin Chavez to the grass thrashing in pain. Officials ruled Ndjock made contact to Chavez's head without touching the ball.

Lagos called the ruling an "enormously bad call."

More than 3,500 season tickets have been sold, surpassing goals the club initially projected to reach by season's end.

Jim Oliver, 35, a member of the Dark Clouds fan group for the past "six or seven" years, welcomed the crush of soccer fans.

"So many people are curious about it now unlike before when you were trying to sell people on it," Oliver said.

Across the parking lot, David Sherman, 25, and Hayley Radant, 24, tailgated at their Honda Civic. They attended the Loons' playoff semifinal game last November and plan to visit Blaine more often this season.

"They're a good team," Radant said. "People like to support a team that does well."