Loons' Hassani Dotson's late goal produces drama in 2-2 draw in L.A.
Jul. 29—Minnesota United continues to crash parties held at Banc of California Stadium.
After Mason Toye's brace led to a 2-0 road win in 2019, the Loons netted another wonderful goal from Emanuel Reynoso — the club's 200th regular-season goal since joining MLS in 2017 — and it matched his star counterpart Carlos Vela's chip. A coveted road point was lining up for the Loons on Wednesday.
Then LAFC's Tristan Blackmon's header goal off a corner kick appeared to be the difference in the 77th minute, but days after Minnesota's first comeback win of the season, Loons midfielder Hassani Dotson sent in one of his trademark bangers, this one right-footed from 18 yards out, in the final seconds of second-half stoppage time. It led to a dramatic 2-2 draw in Los Angeles.
"It's about applying the energy and the passion for us to keep playing forward and if we're not having a good game, we know that we just need one play to turn it around," Dotson said.
That deciding play was generated by substitute Jan Gregus' hustle to turn up field with the ball in the final moments. He put so much into the pass toward the top of the box that he falls down after making it. Meanwhile, LAFC's Raheem Edwards, a former Loon, doesn't challenge it nearly as passionately.
With the draw, the Loons (6-5-4) stayed within a point of LAFC (6-5-5) in the Western Conference standings; Minnesota has a game in hand.
The Loons trailed 1-0 at the half, and they provided LAFC with a open chance for the strike. Right back Romain Metanire gave the ball away in midfield, and LAFC sprung the counter attack. A long ball want to Vela, and despite Bakaye Dibassy scrambling to get back, the former league MVP fended him off and chipped the ball over Tyler Miller in the 40th minute.
"He did get the best of me, with his right-footed chip, which I didn't know Carlos had a right foot," Miller said after he returned to Southern California to play against his former team. "But all jokes aside. They are phenomenal players, and it was something that I really looked forward to, to coming back here and playing in this game."
Miller was able to get a foot on Vela's shot in the 13th minute and he ended with three saves.
The Loons went with their more typical 4-3-3 formation on the road, hoping to strike on their own counter attacks. They had only 41 percent of possession and were able to fend off LAFC multiple times. But Blackmon's set piece included Dibassy and Dotson not jumping to stop it.
In the 18th minute, Loons left back Chase Gasper appeared to injury his upper left leg. He had played every minute this season up to that point and had to leave, with D.J. Taylor coming in. Loons coach Adrian Heath said the club would know more about the severity of Gasper's injury on Thursday, but they wouldn't take any chances with him Saturday versus Vancouver Whitecaps. Heath added that he felt Taylor had a "smashing" performance Wednesday.
