Loons Push Club América to the Brink in Wild Leagues Cup Clash
What a wild one it was in Houston, as Minnesota United went toe-to-toe with one of North America's most decorated clubs—Club América—in a Leagues Cup showdown that had everything: goals, drama, late heartbreak, and a penalty shootout that felt like it could go on forever.
Let’s set the stage. Coming into the match, the Loons had already made waves with a confident 4-1 win over Querétaro. The energy was high, the form was good, and Bongi was buzzing. Club América, meanwhile, wasn’t exactly riding a high. They’d been knocked around a bit recently—losing to Toluca and then LAFC—so there was this strange feeling in the air like maybe, just maybe, Minnesota could pull something off.
And for most of the game, it looked like they just might.
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Minnesota struck first. In the 14th minute, Tani Oluwaseyi made his mark with a tidy finish, putting the Loons up 1-0. Sure, an own goal by Michael Boxall leveled it at 1-1 not long after, but Bongi—who honestly might be the unofficial face of the Leagues Cup at this point—restored the lead before halftime. That made it 2-1 to Minnesota going into the break.
América, being América, came back swinging. They equalized again in the 53rd minute, but shortly after, a red card was shown to Igor Lichnovsky. That left the Liga MX powerhouse down a man. Minnesota didn’t waste time—Carlos Harvey capitalized in the 65th minute to put them up 3-2. At that point, it felt like the upset was brewing. Minnesota had the lead. They had the extra man. All they had to do was see it out.
But Club América, true to their legacy, found a way. In the 90th minute, Sebastián Cáceres rose above the defense and powered a header past Dayne St. Clair. It was 3-3, and with that, all momentum shifted.
The game went to penalties. For seven intense rounds, no one missed. It was gut-wrenching. But then came the moment: Nicolás Romero's attempt was saved. América's Isaias Violante stepped up next and buried his shot, sealing a brutal come-from-behind win.
Even though Minnesota lost, this game wasn’t just about the result. It was a statement. The Loons stood tall against a footballing giant. They controlled large parts of the match, showcased attacking depth, and proved they belong in this tournament’s spotlight.
They’ll wrap up the group phase against Atlético San Luis next, but no matter what happens, this game will be remembered as one of the Loons' most memorable showdowns—a battle of belief, bravery, and a little heartbreak.
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