RECAP | United 3, RailHawks 1

Photo Credit: Minnesota United

Minnesota United put on a stunning second half display to come from behind and defeat the Carolina RailHawks, 3-1, at NSC Stadium in Blaine. After falling behind in the opening minutes of the game, United rallied for three goals in eight minutes to extend its unbeaten run to six straight games.

"Huge result for us tonight," United head coach Manny Lagos said. "We came out sluggish in the first half. We had some chances, but Carolina did a great job disrupting our play. We attacked well in the second half and created chances by getting more men in the box and really going all out. Great result for the guys to see the game out."

Carolina jumped on the board early after winning a corner off a deflected shot. Tiyi Shipalane's corner kick found Futty Danso near the back post, and headed the ball off the post and in to give the RailHawks the early lead.

Minnesota didn't see much of the early possession, but was able to string together chances as the half went on. Goalkeeper Sammy Ndjock kept the Loons in the game by making several spectacular one-on-one saves in the first half.

The second half started slow for both teams with Minnesota pressing the attack, but still unable to make the final connection in front of goal. Unlike the first half, United did take more chances, peppering the RailHawks goal. In the 66th minute, Manny Lagos was shown a red card for dissent, forcing United to finish out the remainder of the match with Assistant Coach Carl Craig at the helm.

The game seemed to be slowly slipping away, but a stroke of luck late in the half sparked a comeback. Kevin Venegas got his foot on a low corner to lift the ball over the crowd in front of the RailHawks goal. Defender Daniel Scott tried to knock the ball away from his net with a header, but managed to beat his own ‘keeper instead, tying the match.

Three minutes later, United marched back down the pitch, fired up after getting on the board. Christian Ramirez flicked back a headed ball to fellow forward Pablo Campos, setting the Brazilian up for a shot. Campos waited for the bounce and blasted a shot with the outside of his foot around the goalkeeper into the far corner of the net to take the lead.

Not letting off the gas, United pressed for a security goal. Campos nearly doubled his tally on the play following his goal, barely missing the target. Minnesota was able to get its brace thanks to a strong individual effort by Venegas – playing one of his best matches all season – who dribbled past several Carolina players to hit a low blast to seal three points for the Loons.