In a thrilling back-and-forth clash at Allianz Field, Christian Ramírez delivered a clutch equalizer in the 79th minute to help Austin FC salvage a 2-2 draw against Minnesota United on Sunday. The dramatic finish came just two minutes after Minnesota had taken the lead, showcasing the never-say-die spirit that makes MLS soccer so captivating.
Ramírez, who matched his entire goal tally from last season with his fourth strike of the campaign, calmly converted a pass from Facundo Torres to level the score. Torres, meanwhile, notched his sixth assist of the season—tying his 2025 total and closing in on his career high of 10.
The match got off to an electric start when Myrto Uzuni converted a penalty kick in the 14th minute, giving Austin an early advantage. The Albanian forward has been in scintillating form, scoring in three consecutive matches and bringing his season total to four goals. The penalty was awarded after Minnesota defender Nectarios Triantis was penalized for a foul in the box.
Minnesota had a golden chance to equalize from the spot in the 22nd minute, but the sequence was anything but straightforward. Kelvin Yeboah's initial penalty was saved by Austin goalkeeper Brad Stuver, but Tomás Chancalay pounced on the rebound and scored. However, the goal was waved off due to fouls committed by both teams during the play, leading to a rare do-over. Yeboah's second attempt then rattled the crossbar, leaving the Loons empty-handed.
The home side finally broke through in the 69th minute when defender Anthony Markanich rose to meet a corner kick, powering home a header for his fourth goal of the season. The play was set up by James Rodríguez, who had entered the match just six minutes earlier and picked up his first assist in just his fifth career appearance. Midfielder Wil Trapp, who also came on as a substitute alongside Rodríguez, earned his first assist of the campaign.
Rodríguez wasn't done yet, adding a second assist when he set up Joaquín Pereyra in the 77th minute to give Minnesota a 2-1 lead. It was Pereyra's first goal of the season after netting six times in his debut full campaign last year.
Despite the late drama, both goalkeepers put in solid shifts. Drake Callender made three saves for Minnesota United (6-3-3), who had won five of their previous six matches entering the contest. Stuver also recorded three saves for Austin (3-4-5), who were looking to build on back-to-back 2-0 victories.
The match was a physical affair, with Minnesota receiving five yellow cards—four of them in a frenetic first half. The result mirrored the season opener between these two sides, which also ended in a 2-2 draw in Austin.