Minnesota United beats Real Salt Lake: ‘Let’s go all the way’

With another dramatic victory on penalties over Real salt lakethe Loons booked a spot in the Western Conference Semifinals vs. LA Milky Way.

Minnesota got the ball rolling on Tuesday with Game 1 at RSL (0-0), then finished the job in Game 2 on Saturday night (1-1).

“I feel like we’ve gotten the group to a point where we feel like we can compete with anyone,” head coach Eric Ramsay said afterward.

“Collectively, we have done a very good job in a short time to bring our third version of this group together so quickly this year.”

Canadian international goalkeeper Dayne St. Clair was the hero again and used gamesmanship to throw off RSL’s PK takers. He made two saves while setting up Sang Bin Jeong to ice the 3-1 shootout win.

“I know this is a moment where I can shine,” St. Clair said. “There’s a lot of pressure on me at that moment, but especially with the crowd tonight, the noise they made, I felt there was something in it.”

Ramsay was confident St. Clair could lead the hosts to a second straight win. The penalties followed Minnesota’s Joseph Rosales and RSLs Emeka Eneli score in regular playing time.

“I feel like it was a good thing for us, the combination of the atmosphere and Dayne,” Ramsay said. “He’s a showman, he feeds off the energy the crowd gives him… Here it was almost certain he would save one.”

Supported by the Allianz Field faithful, MNUFC has advanced past the first round for the first time since 2020.

“It’s an incredible atmosphere,” Ramsay said. “I’m very happy and relieved that we were able to finish the season the way we did with three wins here, because we have to take advantage of what, as far as I’m concerned, is one of the best. football-specific atmospheres across the country.”

Minnesota’s stalwart defense remains their calling card. They have conceded just twice in their last seven games, with their last loss coming on September 18.

“We’ve been a really good version of ourselves,” Ramsay said. “It’s a difficult balance to be a team that is very difficult to play against, but also very exciting to watch. There are two different mentalities involved, but I have the feeling that we have captured that.”

Minnesota faces a tough challenge in the Conference semi-finals, with the star-studded Galaxy waiting after the November international break. LA is fresh from beating Colorado rapids by a combined 9-1 score in their Round One series.

Minnesota will be the underdog, but fully believes their run is not over.

“We know we can go to Galaxy and go in there and get a result and move on,” St. Clair said. “Right now, it wasn’t just about making the playoffs for this team or winning, getting out of the first round. If we’re going to do it, let’s go all the way.”

Ramsay added: “We are in good form at the moment. That means we are not afraid of anyone.”