As Minnesota United prepares to return to TCF Bank Stadium for the first time in over a month, five of its players return from duty with their respective national teams. World Cup Qualifying kept Michael Boxall (New Zealand), Francisco Calvo (Costa Rica), Kevin Molino (Trinidad and Tobago) and Johan Venegas (Costa Rica) busy, while Jermaine Taylor (Jamaica) played in an international friendly north of the border.
Boxall and the Kiwis kicked off the action on the other side of the International Date Line with a two-match series with the Solomon Islands. The opening match took place in Auckland on September 1, with Boxall getting the start and helping the All Whites cruise to a 6-1 victory. The Loon defender got his name on the box score early with a caution in the third minute. He didn’t feature in the reverse fixture, but New Zealand earned a 2-2 draw and with it a spot in the intercontinental playoff. It will play the fifth-place team from CONEMBOL (South America) in November for a spot in the 2018 World Cup.
Back on this side of the Pacific, Calvo, Venegas and the rest of the Costa Rica national team put up a solid pair of performances in CONCACAF qualifying. The Ticos first faced the U.S. at Red Bull Arena in New Jersey, followed by a home match against Mexico. Their road performance stunned the U.S. with a 2-0 victory, ending Bruce Arena’s perfect run since retaking command of the Yanks.
Calvo went the full 90 to keep the clean sheet, while Venegas came on as a second-half sub. Returning to San Jose, Costa Rica had a tough battle with Mexico, who recently locked up a spot in Russia. The Ticos dug themselves a hole in the first half with an own goal, but managed to level the score with less than 10 minutes remaining. Venegas nearly locked up a World Cup spot for his country in stoppage time with a rocket that clanged off the woodwork.
With the draw, Costa Rica is at least guaranteed a spot in the intercontinental playoff.
It’s been a rough few matches for Kevin Molino and the Soca Warriors, who once again were defeated in both matches in this round of qualifying. Molino played every minute against both Honduras and Panama, but was unable to turn the tide for the island nation. Honduras struck early and didn’t look back as it claimed a 2-1 victory in Trinidad and Tobago. The Soca Warriors’ next match was even less forgiving as Panama brushed aside the visitors with a 3-0 result. Trinidad and Tobago can no longer earn an automatic qualification spot, but can still reach the intercontinental playoff with a lot of help along the way.
After its stellar run during the Gold Cup, Jamaica traveled north for a friendly with Canada. Taylor started for the Reggae Boyz in Toronto and had his work cut out for him against the young Canada team. The hosts scored a pair of goals in the opening half hour, and managed to hold off Jamaica for a 2-0 win.
Minnesota United’s next home match is a tilt with Philadelphia Union on Saturday, September 9 at TCF Bank Stadium. The teams kick off at 7:00 p.m. 41 years of soccer in Minnesota means $41 gets you a deposit on season tickets for 2018 at TCF Bank Stadium — and seating priority for 2019 at Allianz Field. Buy match tickets for this season or make deposits on season tickets for the next at MNUFC.COM or by calling 763.4SOCCER.
