Late goal lifts Loons over defending NASL champion

Drums in the Minnesota United FC supporters section thumped loud in triumph after Saturday's match. Players showed love to cheering fans not with customary, polite hand claps but clenched fists of accomplishment.

A Christian Ramirez goal in the final minute of regulation earned the Loons an elusive 1-0 victory against defending North American Soccer League champion New York.

Before Saturday, United was 0-4-4 against New York since the Cosmos joined the NASL in the 2013 fall season.

No more.

More so than the match's historical significance, however, United coach Carl Craig relished his team's resolve. Down a man much of the second half due to an ejection, the Loons kept battling before an announced crowd of 9,078 at the National Sports Center Stadium in Blaine.

"This was a test of character," Craig said. "The lads showed desire to get a result in the second half."

In the 90th minute, a streaking Justin Davis crossed a ball deep into Cosmos territory. Ramirez didn't flinch, scoring his team-high third goal this season.

Ramirez previously came up short in a match littered with near misses for 89 minutes. In the 15th minute, the crowd's roar for an apparent Ramirez goal became a collective groan as he was whistled offside.

Close calls continued. New York's Juan Arango curled a free kick try and buzzed the Minnesota goal in the 31st minute. He missed a header in the 82nd minute as well.

Ramirez said he chided Arango, New York's leading scorer by warning, "We're going to punish you for not punishing us," Ramirez said. "He said, 'Yeah, I know.' "

The Loons (3-1) played well at both ends, even after a red card on Damion Lowe left the team a man short much of the second half. Lowe, a defender, was ejected in the 53rd minute for cleating Cosmos' Michael Lahoud on the back of the knee at midfield.

No matter. The Loons handed New York (2-2) its first shutout of season.

His pass to Ramirez gave the striker a golden chance. Ramirez shot and the ball tricked under Cosmos' goalkeeper Jimmy Maurer.

"I was going to celebrate even if it didn't go in, just to put pressure on the ref," Ramirez joked. "But it went in."