Anthony Markanich and Joaquin Pereyra each found the net late for Minnesota United, but the team could only secure a 2-2 draw against Austin FC on Sunday night in Saint Paul, Minnesota.
Austin’s Christian Ramirez leveled the match in the 79th minute, while teammate Myrto Uzuni had opened the scoring earlier in the first half.
James Rodriguez provided assists on both of Minnesota’s goals, helping the team (6-3-3, 21 points) extend its unbeaten streak to 5-1-1 over the last seven matches. The Loons sit fifth in the Western Conference standings.
Rodriguez had a chance to win it late but couldn’t convert a header inside the box.
Austin (3-3-5, 14 points) aimed to build on a two-match winning streak that featured consecutive shutouts. For 65 minutes, that goal seemed within reach. With the draw, Austin now sits 10th in the West, one point out of ninth and two points adrift of eighth place.
Goalkeepers Brad Stuver (Austin) and Drake Callender (Minnesota) each recorded three saves.
Uzuni netted his team-leading fifth goal on a penalty kick in the 14th minute after a handball call against Minnesota’s Nectarios Triantis.
Minnesota had a penalty opportunity about 13 minutes later, but leading scorer Kelvin Yeboah’s effort struck the crossbar.
Markanich scored his fourth goal of the season in the 69th minute, heading home a delivery from Rodriguez. Wil Trapp earned a secondary assist on the play.
The Loons struck again in the 77th minute when Pereyra found the net off a Facundo Torres assist.
The two teams also played to a 2-2 draw in their season opener back in February in Austin.
Both sides are back in action on Wednesday, with Minnesota hosting Colorado and Austin visiting San Diego for the first of two matches in the week.
