Rochester FC drops tough match to Minneapolis City SC

ROCHESTER — Rochester FC (5-0-2, 15 points) faced another heartbreaking loss at home as it hosted Minneapolis City SC and fell 2-1.

The Minnesota sides exchanged possession throughout the first half, and both had a few chances on goal, but not as many as either side would have liked.

One of those chances for Minneapolis City came during stoppage time. A Minneapolis City SC player made a run on goal. Rochester FC defender Oscar Arroyo made a block to prevent the player from getting a shot off.

The sides entered halftime goalless.

Minneapolis City’s attacker Shea Bechtel had a good opportunity to open the second half, but Tomas Butkovic came up with a big save, getting down low and stretching wide to push the ball wide.

However, Minneapolis City was able to find the first goal in the 56th minute. Andrew Heckenlaible crossed a ball to Shea Bechtel who was able to roll it past the Loons’ keeper Tomas Butkovic.

After that goal, Rochester FC continued to put the pressure on the Crows.

In the 76th minute, substitute Jovaunn Ramos almost got a goal back for the Loons. Ramos curled a beautiful ball on goal after a great run from fellow substitute Kazuki Okazaki. Ramos’ shot was deflected by a Minneapolis City defender. The Loons kept knocking on the Crows’ door.

A few minutes later, Ramos made another brilliant run, drawing the goalkeeper away from the center of the goal. Ramos laid it off to Faris Colic who fired a shot. Unfortunately for Rochester FC, his shot went above the top bar.

The Loons’ hard work paid off in the 88′ minute. Ramos made another great run up the left side. He centered it to Alex Matthews who was waiting at the top of the box. Matthews fired a rocket into the top of the net, bringing the Loons even.

In stoppage time, Minneapolis City was awarded a penalty kick, which it was able to capitalize on. That turned out to be the game-winning goal for the Crows.

Rochester FC is back at RCTC Stadium for its final home match of the regular season on Thursday, July 10. The Loons will face fellow Minnesota side, St. Croix Legends. Kick off is at 7 p.m.

Our newsroom occasionally reports stories under a byline of “staff.” Often, the “staff” byline is used when rewriting basic news briefs that originate from official sources, such as a city press release about a road closure, and which require little or no reporting. At times, this byline is used when a news story includes numerous authors or when the story is formed by aggregating previously reported news from various sources. If outside sources are used, it is noted within the story.