Red Bulls Earn Hard Fought Point Against Minnesota

Published: Sunday, June 29, 2025

by Sean Casey

HARRISON, N.J. – The New York Red Bulls (8-5-7) drew Minnesota United FC (9-7-4) by a score of 2-2 on Saturday night. The Red Bulls came into the game seventh in the eastern conference and remained in that spot following the 2-2 draw at Sports Illustrated Stadium.

Right from kickoff the Red Bulls were the better team, playing an attacking style of soccer while still dominating possession. The Red Bulls opened the game with four shots in just the opening ten minutes. 

Exactly a minute later the Red Bulls opened their tally for the day as Choupo Moting took on the goalie one on one. They both collided leaving the ball wide open for Emil Forsberg to tap the ball into the net from the middle of the box.  Both Moting and Minnesota goalie Wessel Spell were shaken up, but both decided to remain in the game, and the Red Bulls now led 1-0. 

Spell only lasted nine more minutes, as he was subbed off in the 20th minute due to the injury from the previous collision. United were then forced into playing their third-string goalie, Alec Smir, as their starting goalkeeper Dayne St. Calir was away on international duty for the Canadian National Team.

This substitution was game-changing for Minnesota, as they were now playing more attacking football with an increased time of possession. Minnesota had a new energy and was playing much more confidently, and eventually Kelvin Yeboah found the back of the net against the New York defense.

Thirteen minutes later, Anthony Markanich scored right before the half, with both of Minnesota's goals coming from the left flank, giving them the 2-1 advantage. Despite having more possession and control, New York found themselves behind due to minor mistakes.

The second half was chippy from the start with both teams exchanging heated challenges and multiple chances at scoring, in addition to the refs calls becoming more controversial. The Red Bull faithful wanted a penalty call for Moting after he was kicked in the box, but no call was given.

Play continued as both teams had chances, including a Minnesota header that hit off the post in the 75th minute. From that moment on, the last minutes were all New York, and it would pay off at the very last moment. The 90th minute saw the Red Bulls capitalize, with a stunning equalizer from Moting, tying the game at 2. 

With the game back even, four minutes of stoppage time was all that remained. Minnesota's best two chances were defended and suddenly New York had a 3 on 1 break, but the final whistle was then blown. Head Coach Sandro Schwarz was outraged with the officials, and he was ultimately given a red card for his words and as a result, will miss the match at San Jose.

Despite the tie and upsetting ending, Forsberg was optimistic stating, “We’re having good games…we played well in the second half to grab a point.” It was evident that even though New York dropped a point, their mentality to stay in the game remained.

Following the draw against Minnesota, they will now take a trip to California on July 5th to play the San Jose Earthquakes, as they look to get back in the win column.

Sean Casey can be reached at sean.casey@student.shu.edu.

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