Loons give up lead, settle for 1-1 draw with Austin FC

Minnesota United remained unbeaten when scoring the first goal on Saturday but one poor moment led to a - draw with Austin FC at Allianz Field Michael Boxall scored off a corner kick in the th minute but Austin needed a pinpoint sequence on low-odds counter attack to level the battle minutes later Minnesota - - points is now - - when scoring first goal this season Austin - - points improved to - - when conceding first Minnesota blew out Austin - on May and had a much more intricate time developing down the Verde defense on Satrurday Boxall opened up the scoring with his first goal of the season in the th minute Off a corner kick from Joaquin Pereyra and a header from Nico Romero the Loons captain and center back tapped it in with his noggin from a scant feet out Boxall an avid golfer on off days in the offseason went to a putting celebration United s lead held up for minutes and was undone at a thoroughly unexpected time The Loons had a throw-into the attacking third but Austin intervened and sprang an inch-perfect counter attack Boxall Julian Gressel and Wil Trapp feverishly tried to make up ground but Austin detected Zan Kolmanic for a finish tucked into the far post Kelvin Yeboah who ended his eight-match scoring drought against St Louis in U S Open Cup on Wednesday subbed in during st minute He and Tani Oluwaseyi both played as forward In a head-scratching contrast Austin subbed out its two best attackers Brandon Vazquez and Osman Bukari in the st minute Boxall added quality defensive work with a game-saving tackle in the th minute Three tidbits In a surprising decision Anthony Markanich kept his position at left wing back despite Joseph Rosales suspension ending before for Saturday s contest Markanich deserved to keep his spot after his two-goal tournament led Loons to U S Open Cup win over St Louis on Wednesday Rosales replaced Markanich at halftime Markanich played minutes over three games in eight days Entering Saturday the Loons tallied at least three goals scored in three of previous four games for the first time since Loons have an MLS-low possession this season and radio play-by-play commentator Dan Terhaar joked about how Minnesota had nearly percent in the first half That s too much he kidded Related Articles Loons vs Austin FC Keys to the match storylines and a prediction Loons will host Chicago Fire in U S Open Cup quarterfinals Dramatic finish sends Minnesota United into U S Open Cup quarterfinals Loons vs St Louis City Keys to match updates and a prediction Rejuvenated Loons cruise to - win over St Louis