Quintero leads Minnesota United past RSL

Updated: May 17, 2023, 05:20 am

Darwin Quintero scored on each side of halftime as Minnesota United earned a 3-1 comeback victory over visiting Real Salt Lake on Sunday in Saint Paul, Minn.

Quintero, who was held out of Minnesota's frustrating 2-0 loss at reeling Houston during the middle of the week, scored an equalizing goal in the 20th minute and the go-ahead score in the 51st. Ethan

Finlay added some insurance in the 83rd minute for Minnesota United (14-10-6, 48 points), which improved to 9-1-5 at home and moved ahead of RSL in the Western Conference table.

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Despite falling to 1-5-2 in its last eight road matches, Real Salt Lake (14-12-4, 46 points) remains among the top four in the West along with Minnesota.

Minnesota, which came out much more inspired than at Houston on Wednesday, had two quality chances in the first 10 minutes. However, RSL keeper Nick Rimando made key one-on-one stops on Robin Lod and Mason Toye, respectively.

At the other end of the pitch, United keeper Vito Mannone made a diving save of RSL's Jefferson Savarino's left-footer in the 17th minute. Seconds later, however, Mannone was unable to stop Albert Rusnak's shot that snuck inside the far post for his 10th goal of 2019.

Minnesota wasn't down long, though, as Quintero split the defense to grab a stellar pass from Kevin Molino. Quintero put a slight move on Rimando, then easily poked the ball in to level the match.

Darwin Quintero celebrates in front of the home crowd after scoring a goal for Minnesota.
Darwin Quintero celebrates in front of the home crowd after scoring a goal for Minnesota.
USA Today Images

While the rest of the first half was rather pedestrian for both sides in terms of prime chances, Quintero hit the post right out of halftime. It was not long after, though, that the Colombian recorded his brace.

After teammate Romain Metanire kept the ball from going out of bounds, Quintero picked it up near midfield, then went full stream toward the goal. At the box, Quintero struck the ball through the legs of RSL defender Nedum Onuoha and past Rimando for his 10th of the year.

United remained the aggressor and Metanire set up Finlay, who was alone on Rimando, to convert his seventh goal of 2019.