Kelvin Yeboah scored in the 66th minute, and Drake Callender made four saves, leading Minnesota United to a 1-0 victory over FC Cincinnati. This win marks Cameron Knowles’ first success as head coach, and the match took place on Saturday afternoon in Saint Paul, Minn.
Roman Celentano, goalkeeper for FC Cincinnati, also recorded four saves. Cincinnati’s record now stands at 1-1-0, earning them 3 points.
Yeboah previously scored a late equalizer in Minnesota’s season opener, a 2-2 draw against Austin FC. His game-winning goal came from a rebound of a free kick taken by Tomas Chancalay from near the penalty box. The shot hit the far right post and bounced into Yeboah’s path for a strong header.
The opportunity for the free kick arose when Gerardo Valenzuela tripped Joaquin Pereyra just outside the penalty area.
FC Cincinnati, which began the season with a 2-0 win over Atlanta United, almost equalized shortly after Yeboah’s goal. Obinna Nwobodo took a curling shot from the middle of the box aimed at the right corner, but Callender made a diving save to push it wide.
Chancalay had a chance to increase the lead in the 83rd minute during a breakaway, but Celentano managed to deflect his left-footed shot, which was heading for the top right corner, with an impressive two-handed save.
With this victory, Minnesota United moved to first place in the Western Conference, holding a record of 1-1-0 and 4 points. Star player James Rodriguez, who won the Golden Boot with Colombia in the 2014 FIFA World Cup, was dressed but did not play in the match.
The kickoff temperature was 20 degrees, with a wind-chill of 11, making it the coldest game in FC Cincinnati’s history.