MIAMI – Lance Laing's impressive first goal with Minnesota United enabled the Loons to earn a 1-1 draw with Miami FC on a wet Saturday night before an announced 9,739 at Ocean Bank Field.
United (4-3-4, 16 points), which lost 4-0 to Miami on Aug. 6 at National Sports Center, earned its second consecutive draw in the state of Florida, having played to a scoreless tie at Jacksonville on Aug. 20. United finishes its three-game Sunshine State tour by playing at Fort Lauderdale on Wednesday before returning home Saturday against Rayo OKC.
In the 59th minute Saturday with Miami leading 1-0, United midfielder Jack Blake played a ball over the top for Laing. The ball was deflected by a Miami defender but fell favorably to Laing just outside the penalty area, and the Jamaican used his left foot to chip the ball over Miami goalkeeper Daniel Vega and into the net.
Miami had taken the lead in the 51st minute. Calvin Rezende drove down the left side and served a cross toward the far post. Kwadwo Poku was waiting to tap home the ball past the Loons' Sammy Ndjock for a 1-0 lead.
Vega finished with five saves for Miami (4-2-4, 16 points). Ndjock made two saves, one during stoppage time off a shot from Vincenzo Rennella following a Miami corner kick.
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