James Rodríguez Sets Up Two, Christian Ramírez Answers Late as Minnesota United and Austin FC Draw 2-2

ST. PAUL, Minn. — For 63 minutes on Sunday evening, Minnesota United was chasing a game it felt it should have been leading. Then James Rodríguez came off the bench, and in the span of eight minutes the Loons turned a 1-0 deficit into a 2-1 lead. Two minutes after that, Christian Ramírez pulled Austin FC level, and the teams left Allianz Field with a 2-2 draw that left both sides wanting more.

It was the second 2-2 draw between the clubs this season, after they split the points in the season opener in Austin, the Associated Press noted. This one came with more chaos, including a penalty saved, scored on the rebound, wiped out by video review and then struck off the crossbar on the retake.

A Penalty Each, but Only One Counted

Austin struck first. Mikkel Desler's shot hit the outstretched hand of Minnesota defender Nectarios Triantis, according to Verde All Day, and Myrto Uzuni converted the penalty in the 14th minute. The AP noted it was Uzuni's fourth goal of the season and that he has now scored in three straight matches.

Minnesota thought it had an immediate answer. Midway through the half, Joseph Rosales was whistled for a foul on Anthony Markanich in the box, Verde All Day reported, and Kelvin Yeboah stepped to the spot. Brad Stuver guessed right and blocked it. Tomás Chancalay fired in the rebound.

The celebration did not last. Video review found infractions by both teams on the kick, according to Austin FC's official match report. Verde All Day reported that Stuver had come off his line and that Markanich had moved too early on the rebound. Referee Chris Penso ordered a retake. Yeboah went again and hit the crossbar, and Austin kept its lead.

The first half had other moments, too. Drake Callender tipped an Uzuni half-volley over the bar in the 11th minute, Jefferson Diaz headed a set piece off the post, and the referee added 12 minutes of first-half stoppage time, Verde All Day reported. Minnesota collected five yellow cards on the night, four of them before halftime, according to the AP.

James Changes the Game

In the 63rd minute, Minnesota brought on James Rodríguez and Wil Trapp for Chancalay and Triantis. The change tilted the field.

In the 69th minute, James delivered a ball to the far post and Markanich rose to head it in for his fourth goal of the season, according to the AP and Verde All Day. Eight minutes later, James and Joaquín Pereyra combined on a give-and-go that left the Austin defense flat-footed, and Pereyra finished for a 2-1 lead in the 77th minute. It was Pereyra's first goal of the season after he scored six a year ago, per the AP. Austin's official report credited James with assists on both Minnesota goals.

For a few minutes, the comeback looked complete. Minnesota had come in having won five of its last six matches, according to the AP, and the momentum was firmly in the home side's favor.

Ramírez Spoils It

Austin needed just two minutes to respond. Facundo Torres slipped a pass to Ramírez, who finished in the box in the 79th minute for his fourth goal of the season. It was Torres's sixth assist, the AP noted, already matching his total from last year.

The final stretch was scrappy and physical. Austin defender Jon Bell, who had entered after Brendan Hines-Ike went down with a first-half injury, was later forced off after a clash of heads with Yeboah, Verde All Day reported. Michael Boxall came on for Minnesota and blocked an Uzuni shot. Neither side found a winner.

By the Numbers

ESPN's match stats showed Minnesota with 55 percent possession and an 18-12 edge in shots, with each team putting five on target. Callender and Stuver each made three saves. Austin's point extended its unbeaten run to three matches, after back-to-back 2-0 wins coming in.

For Minnesota, the night was a mix of encouraging and frustrating. The bench changed the game, James looked like a difference-maker, and the Loons showed they can come from behind. But a missed penalty and a two-minute lapse after taking the lead left two points on the table.

Both teams were back in action on Wednesday, with Minnesota hosting the Colorado Rapids and Austin traveling to San Diego FC.

Photo Credit: Jeremiah Rogers/Undrafted