Three consecutive matches without a victory, two of those littered with missed scoring chances. The result: One frustrated Minnesota United FC soccer team.
The Loons struck for an early goal against Tampa Bay only to see the match end in a 1-1 draw Saturday at the National Sports Center Stadium in Blaine. An announced crowd of 7,024 fans — second-largest for a North American Soccer League match in Blaine this year — spent much of the second half reacting to missed scoring opportunities.
Christian Ramirez set a new single-season scoring record and United extended its 10-match home unbeaten streak, but neither milestone offered much consolation.
"It's been three frustrating games, two where we played really good soccer, where we haven't gotten three points," United coach Manny Lagos said. "It's not quite good enough for what we're trying to do. The finishing right now is a problem. Finishing games, finishing teams off."
Minnesota has already clinched a spot in November's playoffs by winning the spring season title. Tampa Bay's postseason chances are less certain. The Rowdies entered Saturday's match tied with Fort Lauderdale for the fourth and final playoff spot.
Georgi Hristov's goal in the 70th minute helped salvage the tie and keep Tampa Bay in playoff contention.
"I was delighted in the manner which we competed for 90 minutes," Rowdies coach Ricky Hill said. "Minnesota missed a couple clear-cut chances that would have theoretically killed the game for us."
Daniel Mendes drew a penalty kick in the 14th minute and United called on Ramirez, the league scoring leader and NASL player of the month in August, to finish the job. The goal, his 14th overall this season, set a new single-season record for the second-year franchise. Ramirez's total is one better than the 13 goals scored by Pablo Campos in 2013.
