Soccer is a funny game. One minute you're coasting toward a massive upset against the winningest team in Mexico, and the next, you're watching a 90th-minute header ruin your night. If you've been searching for the America vs Minnesota score, you probably know it was a chaotic 3-3 draw in regulation, but the real story is how we got to that 8-7 penalty shootout.
Honestly, it was a mess. A glorious, high-octane, beer-showering mess.
The Wildest 3-3 Draw You Probably Missed
The match took place at Shell Energy Stadium, and if you weren't there or tuned in on Apple TV, you missed what basically felt like a fever dream. Club América—the giants of Liga MX—showed up with all the swagger you'd expect. Minnesota United, the "Loons," showed up with a chip on their shoulder and a counterattack that looked like it was designed in a lab to ruin América's day.
Tani Oluwaseyi started the party early. In the 16th minute, Joaquín Pereyra threaded a through ball that was honestly world-class, letting Oluwaseyi slot it home with his left foot. 1-0 Minnesota.
América didn't stay down for long, though they did need a bit of help. A deflected cross in the 27th minute hit Minnesota’s Michael Boxall and bounced into his own net. It was the kind of goal that makes a defender want to disappear into the turf.
But the Loons didn't blink. Just four minutes later, Bongokuhle Hlongwane—who basically lives to score in the Leagues Cup—restored the lead. By halftime, Minnesota was up 2-1 and looking like they might actually pull this off.
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Red Cards and Late-Game Heartbreak
The second half was even more chaotic. José Raúl Zúñiga equalized for América in the 53rd minute with a header that reminded everyone why the Mexican giants are never truly out of a game. Then, things got spicy.
Igor Lichnovsky, the Chilean international for América, decided to play a bit too aggressively. He picked up his second yellow card in the 62nd minute. Suddenly, América was down to 10 men.
Minnesota took advantage immediately. Carlos Harvey fired a shot in the 65th minute to make it 3-2. The celebration was intense. So intense, in fact, that some fans started throwing drinks onto the pitch at the Minnesota players. It was ugly, but it showed just how much this game mattered to the traveling Americanistas.
You’ve probably seen this script before. A team is down a man, the clock is ticking toward 90, and they find a way. In the final minute of regulation, Sebastián Cáceres rose above everyone on a corner kick. He buried the header. 3-3.
The Marathon Penalty Shootout
Since this was a Leagues Cup group stage match, we couldn't just end in a tie. We went straight to the spot.
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If the 90 minutes were stressful, the shootout was a marathon. Both teams were clinical. Seven rounds went by without a single miss. Every player who stepped up looked like they had ice in their veins.
- Brian Rodríguez (América) – Goal
- Joaquín Pereyra (Minnesota) – Goal
- Álex Zendejas (América) – Goal
- Kelvin Yeboah (Minnesota) – Goal
...and so it went.
Finally, in the eighth round, the deadlock broke. Nicolás Romero stepped up for Minnesota. He went for the bottom right corner, but Luis Malagón—the América keeper who had been under siege all night—guessed right and made the save.
Isaías Violante then stepped up for América and finished the job.
Final Score: Club América 3 (8), Minnesota United 3 (7).
Why the America vs Minnesota Score Matters Now
Even though América "won" the shootout, they only walked away with two points in the standings. Minnesota took one point for the regulation draw.
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The takeaway here isn't just the scoreline. It’s the fact that Minnesota United proved they can hang with the biggest sharks in the CONCACAF pond. The interplay between Pereyra and Oluwaseyi was legit. They sliced through the América backline like it wasn't even there for most of the night.
América, on the other hand, showed that "never say die" attitude that makes them so hated and respected. Playing with 10 men and finding a 90th-minute equalizer is pure big-club energy.
Actionable Insights for Fans
If you're following these teams as the season progresses, here is what you need to keep an eye on:
- Watch the Loons on the counter: Minnesota’s transition play is their greatest weapon. If they can tighten up that late-game defense, they are a deep-playoff threat.
- América’s disciplinary issues: Lichnovsky’s red card nearly cost them the game. They play on the edge, which is great for entertainment but risky for results.
- Leagues Cup math: Remember that in this tournament, a draw isn't just a draw. That extra point from the shootout is often the difference between advancing and going home early.
Next time these two meet, don't look away. Whether it’s own goals, red cards, or 16-round penalty marathons, the America vs Minnesota score is almost guaranteed to be a rollercoaster.
Check the updated Leagues Cup standings to see how this result shifts the knockout bracket for the upcoming rounds. If you're betting on the next match, keep an eye on the "Both Teams to Score" (BTTS) markets, because neither of these defenses looked particularly interested in keeping a clean sheet.