A fast start and man advantage helped Minnesota United to a 2-2 road draw with FC Edmonton on Sunday. Miguel Ibarra scored in the 2nd minute to give Minnesota the early lead but two second half goals would tip the scales in the Eddies' favor. United was able to level the match in the final minutes with a penalty kick scored by Jamie Watson.
On the early goal, Ibarra made a run down the left edge of the box to play a cross to forward Christian Ramirez who was crashing the net. An Edmonton defender blocked the ball back to Ibarra, who tapped his own rebound to get the lead for Minnesota.
The score would stand for the rest of the half, but Edmonton held the advantage in momentum. Minnesota struggled to get the ball out of its own end for most of the first half due to heavy pressure from the Eddies' attack.
Edmonton was able to level the score after a free kick was given outside the Minnesota penalty area early in the second half. Midfielder Lance Laing, who caused problems all afternoon for the United defense, curled the ball over the four-man wall into the top corner of the net. Goalkeeper Mitch Hildebrandt was able to get a hand on the ball, but it was not enough to stop the blast from Laing.
Laing would get on the score sheet once again, but this time providing the assist. Laing found himself on the break on the left side of the pitch. With only United defender Tiago Calvano to beat, Laing played the ball across goal, out of the reach of Hildebrandt, to fellow midfielder Tomi Ameobi. Ameobi slid into the net to tap home the ball, giving Edmonton a 2-1 advantage.
The drama started late as a slide tackle in the penalty area took down United defender Justin Davis, and the referee awarded Minnesota a penalty kick. An argument with the referee saw Edmonton's Daryl Fordyce get sent off with a red card as Watson lined up for Minnesota.