*Note: This editorial was edited by ColumbusCrewSC.com and provided by MLSsoccer.com
Minnesota United's Tyler Miller saved Chris Cadden on the third round of penalties, and Minnesota United made all five of theirs to advance to the MLS is Back quarterfinals following a cagey 1-1 draw against Columbus Crew SC on Tuesday night.
Chase Gasper converted the decisive penalty for Minnesota. Osvaldo Alonso, Jan Gregus, Aaron Schoenfeld and Raheem Edwards also converted their spot kicks for the Loons, who were deserving of passage to the next round after playing most of the match on their terms.
In regulation, Lod scored to put Minnesota United early and put the ball past goalkeeper Andrew Tarbell for the first time all tournament. Gyasi Zardes answered with his fourth goal of the tournament on a rebound of his own penalty to tie it late.
But having nearly kept Zardes off the scoresheet earlier, Miller dove correctly to his right to deny Cadden in the tiebreak, and this time no rebounds were permitted.
Lod's goal was yet another from Minnesota via a set-piece. The Finland international won the initial corner kick header, which Zardes attempted to head clear. Instead, the ball looped dangerously back across the goal, and Jose Aja nodded it on toward Lod, who hammered a volley down and then past Columbus 'keeper Tarbell.
Zardes leveled 11 minutes from full time after Aja clattered into Derrick Etienne Jr. on the left edge of the penalty area. Tyler Miller dove left to deny the initial attempt, but the rebound fell kindly to Zardes who composed himself and tucked in the rebound.
Crew Goal:
- 79' - CLB - Gyasi Zardes | WATCH
MATCH NOTES
By Crew SC Communications
- With his goal in tonight’s match against Minnesota United FC, forward Gyasi Zardes brought his goal total to five tallies in six appearances (all starts) across all competitions in 2020. Zardes’ goal came in the 79th minute, when he pounced on the rebound of a blocked penalty kick shot to make the score 1-1. Notably, the forward scored four goals in four appearances (all starts) in the MLS is Back Tournament in four matches, having also netted against FC Cincinnati (July 11) and the New York Red Bulls (July 16).
- During tonight’s match against Minnesota United FC, defenders Harrison Afful, Aboubacar Keita and Milton Valenzuela led Crew SC in tackles. Through 90 minutes of play, Keita made three tackles, while also making two interceptions, winning five duels and registering 84 touches on the ball; Afful making three tackles, while also winning seven duels and registering 92 touches. Meanwhile, Valenzuela played 64 minutes, winning five duels, making two clearances and registering 51 touches on the ball.
- With his 90-minute appearance in tonight’s Round of 16 match against Minnesota United FC, defender Jonathan Mensah played every minute of the MLS is Back Tournament (360 minutes) the only player to do so for Crew SC.
- With forward Gyasi Zardes’ goal in the 79th minute of tonight’s match against Minnesota United, the Crew have now scored in every competitive match across all competitions in 2020.
