The Loons ended a two-match losing streak on Saturday night, beating Orlando City Sc 1-0 at the TCF Bank Stadium in Minneapolis. A fifty-sixth-minute goal from red-hot forward Christian Ramirez cruised the hosts to their fourth league win of their inaugural season.
An even first half
It was Orlando City who appeared to be more likely to grab a lead going into the break. Lions forward Cyle Larin's ninth minute effort was saved by Minnesota United goalkeeper Bobby Shuttlesworth, while Matias Garcia long range shot also forced a superb save from the Loons goalie.
Christian Ramirez had the only closest chance in front of the goal for the hosts in the first forty-five minutes, seeing off his right footed shot saved by visiting Lions goalkeeper Joe Bendik. Carlos Rivas's left-footed volley struck the crossbar after thirty-eight minutes for the visiting Orlando City SC, as both sides went into half-time “deadlocked” at 0-0.
Ramirez broke the deadlock
Few minutes into the second-half, Cyle Larin close range attempt was saved once again by the Loons goalie Bobby Shuttlesworth, this time it was from the left-side of the penalty box. Orlando center midfielder Luis Gil tried out his luck from long range in the fiftieth minute, but Bobby Shuttlesworth once more was up to the task.
After fifty-six minutes, Minnesota United had their break through as Christian Ramirez calmly finished off Johan Venegas through ball beating Orlando City goalie Joe Bendik to put the hosts ahead.
It was Ramirez eighth goal of the season, and his 3rd this month following two straight matches in a row with an own-goal.
Shuttlesworth was fabulous
Bobby Shuttlesworth kept his team ahead, saving efforts from both Carlos Rivas and Will Johnson. Just before the stoppage time, Loons forward Christian Ramirez missed another clear chance to double the lead for the hosts and “seal” the maximum points for good, but the visiting Orlando City SC apparently came calling late.
Just seconds to the end of the encounter, Carlos Rivas had another fine chance to struck home the equalizer for Orlando City, but he was kept out for the second time by the strong hand of Bobby Shuttlesworth, while both substitutes Matias Perez Garcia and Gil Barnes missed injury-time efforts as well.
Minnesota earns fourth home win
At the blast of the final whistle, Minnesota United merrily celebrated their fourth home success of their inaugural campaign. Bobby Shuttlesworth was massive for Adrian Heath's tutored side, making seven fantastic saves in clean-sheet. Even without their star player Ricardo Kaka in the starting XI lineup, Orlando City SC apparently created several chances offensively.
Jason Kreis and his group have a loss for the fourth time in the month of May and remain winless in their past six games. Orlando City posting a 6-2-5 mark, have only won one road game this term but will return to home action on Wednesday, 31 May to lock horns with the struggling DC United.
