Star Tribune: Heartbreak for Loons in U.S. Open Cup semifinals
Minnesota lost at the last possible moment, going down 2-1 against Austin with a chance to play at home for the trophy on the line.
GAME STORY: Loons lose 2-1 to Austin FC in U.S. Open Cup semifinals
Following Minnesota United’s 2-1 extra-time loss to Austin FC, knocking the Loons out of the U.S. Open Cup in the semifinals, captain Michael Boxall didn’t need any prompting to put the game in context.
“I’ve been here far too long — seven, eight years — and we’ve been in that position what, three times?” he said. “It doesn’t come around too often, so it sucks.”
Die-hard Loons fans know exactly which were the three times he was referring to.
Read more: Minnesota United falls to Austin FC in U.S. Open Cup Semis
“It’s the possibility of playing a final in your own stadium, which I’m sure I’ll say to the players in the coming days — that’s not something that you necessarily get across a 10-, 12-year career at this level,” manager Eric Ramsay said. “So it’s a really unique opportunity and one that we’ve got to take advantage of.”
It’s one of the beauties of soccer, that there are playoffs in the middle of the season. It’s something the WNBA and NBA have started trying to replicate in their own schedules. It’s everything a Loons fan could want.
Isn’t it?
Read more: Minnesota United pushes tickets for U.S. Open Cup semifinal
