Watson, Ramirez score for Minnesota United versus Ottawa

Minnesota United midfielder Jamie Watson ended a scoreless tie in the 30th minute for his first goal of the 2016 MLS season.

Minnesota United and the Ottawa Fury exchanged a pair of goals in a five-minute span in the opening half to break up an otherwise shutdown defensive display from both teams.

Jamie Watson struck first after knocking down a long Christian Ramirez cross from left midfield. The Loon beat the goaltender, then banked the ball off a defender from a tight angle and in to give United a 1-0 lead.

The Fury’s Giuseppe Gentile hit back with a goal through traffic off a turnover in the 35th minute, but that was the only time MNUFC keeper Sammy Ndjock would be bested in the opening half. Ndjock made several key saves early to keep his club in it.

Ramirez would draw a penalty in the 43rd minute after being knocked down in the box looking to receive a ball from teammate Ben Speas. He would convert for his league-leading 15th goal of the season and a 2-1 Minnesota lead right before the half. Ndjock made one last stop in extra time on an Ottawa free kick to close out the game’s first 45.

Both teams entered the break with six shots, while the Fury out-possessed the Loons 52-48%. Calvano drew a yellow for United early, creating a prime free kick opportunity just outside the box, which Ndjock stopped for his first big save of the game.

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Jeb Brovsky drew a yellow in the 52nd minute, his fourth of the fall. The ensuing free kick skipped harmlessly by the goal. Ramirez was robbed of his 16th of the season in the 54th after a mad scramble in the Ottawa box. Ndjock would tip one over the bar less than a minute later, leading to a pair of Fury corners. Lance Laing nearly curled one in the 62nd, but the ball found the far side of the left post. Ndjock shone again in the 67th minute with a leaping save on a free kick.

Fueled by loud chants from the Dark Clouds and True North Elite, United put on a fierce attack as the game went on. Ibson came on for Speas in the 74th minute as gaffer Carl Craig clearly sought to tighten the noose on the Fury. It almost worked as Ibson chipped the ball just over the net less than a minute later. It would have finished a great pressuring effort from Laing and Ramirez in front of the net. Laing tried to finish a Watson cross in the 78th minute, but had his shot blocked by an Ottawa defender.

Then it was the Fury applying the attack. Ryan Williams headed in a Jamar Dixon cross in the 84th to tie up the game, and Stefano Pinho would come on in the stead of Brovsky in the 86th. In the 88th minute, Ottawa stunned United with another header, this time from Mwanga. Brent Kallman fired a headed free kick wide in the 90th minute, the last great chance for Minnesota the game would provide. 

Just a few short minutes was all it took to spin a struggling team on its head. Ottawa came in having not won a game since July 30th, but on an undefeated streak of five straight draws. That undefeated streak continues, this time with three points. Both teams have struggled with only one win each on the road, which means home field advantage wasn’t what it needed to be for Minnesota. 

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Fortunately for United, redemption may not far off. These two clubs will meet again Saturday, September 24th, in Ottawa at 6:00 PM CT. It’s as close as a must-win situation the Loons will find at this point in the season. If they’re not careful, a postseason berth could be slipping through their fingers.