2. Goalkeeping blunders
This was not a good game for either of the three goalkeepers that saw the field. Khiry Shelton’s 43rd-minute goal stemmed from a horrendous Tyler Miller error.
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Miller, who replaced 2019 MLS Goalkeeper of the Year in Vito Mannone, was left embarrassed. Shelton seemed to be indecisive as to shoot on goal or center the ball for an onrushing Gerso, but the Minnesota goalkeeper’s patience opened up the near post for Shelton to slide in an easy finish.
Tim Melia was the next victim of questionable goalkeeping after he came out aggressively, cutting off Roberto Puncec and took down Aaron Schoenfeld just outside of the box. He was shown a red card for denying an obvious goalscoring opportunity.
Melia was then replaced by Richard Sanchez, who was clearly not well prepared to enter. After several instances of timid play, Sanchez was caught in no man’s land as Khiry Shelton deflected a dangerous set-piece into his own net. Just minutes later in extra time, Sanchez came into question again as Kevin Molino found the winner, which seemed to catch Sanchez by surprise to the keeper’s right. Neither error was as egregious as Miller’s or Melia’s, but it did not paint the picture of an attentive, aware replacement.