Last-minute goal in extra time gives Minnesota United 2-2 draw with Los Angeles FC

Already this summer, Minnesota United's Hassani Dotson signed a new contract, got engaged, is expecting a child and scored the dramatic tying goal in the 95th minute of a 2-2 draw with Los Angeles FC at Banc of California Stadium on Wednesday.

What else could summer bring?

"I'm just trying to focus on one thing at a time," Dotson said. "I'm happy to score a goal. I think I was due one."

The Loons trailed twice, but followed Saturday's 2-1 home comeback victory over Portland with a draw after they twice answered LAFC's goals with one of their own.

"They don't give in," Loons coach Adrian Heath said. "We've got a really good bunch and they kept going. I thought they got what they deserved this evening."

The Loons are now 6-1-4 in their last 11 games after they started the season 0-4. On Wednesday, they shook off LAFC star Carlos Vela's 40th-minute chip shot over former teammate Tyler Miller and Tristan Blackmon's set-piece header off a corner kick in the 77th minute.

The Loons played on after starting right back Chase Gasper left the game in the 16th minute because of an upper leg injury. He was replaced by DJ Taylor. Until then, Gasper was the only Minnesota United player who had played every minute this season.

"I think we're starting to find this resilience that maybe was lacking or we didn't know we had," said Miller, who has started in goal these last 11 games. "Now we're seeing guys when we're faced with adversity, we're able to handle it. We're able to bounce back and have belief in ourselves no matter what the score line is or how the game is going."

Dotson and then veteran Ethan Finlay were denied twice in succession by LAFC keeper Tomas Romero in the first minute of second-half stoppage time and yet the Loons persisted.

They pushed forward ultimately for Dotson's tying goal created by second-half substitute Jan Gregus desperate crossing pass from the right sideline — and by defender Brent Kallman's run over which Gregus' ball bounded right to Dotson. After two bounces, his side-volley from directly on the 18-yard box line hit nothing but net and stirred debate over whether it was long enough to qualify for one of his Dotson's famed "bangers," powerful strikes from distance.

"I think so," Heath said. "I just saw the back of the net. I don't care how far it was or how close he was, to be honest with you."

BOXSCORE: Loons 2, LAFC 2

Heath praised technique demonstrated in both his team's goals scored. Star playmaker Emanuel Reynoso turned scorer in the first half, answering Vela's goal with a sliding left-footed shot inside the 18-yard box in the 49th minute.

Dotson got his hips around just enough to drill a shot deep into the net as the game's final seconds ticked away.

"I don't know," Dotson said if his goal qualified as a banger. "I just do my best. I let you guys take care of that."

The last time the Loons went to Banc of California stadium, they walked out with a 2-0 victory last September. This time, the draw felt like victory even though the Loons remained in the Western Conference's sixth place, one point behind fifth-place LAFC.

"I've always said I'll take points on the road every time, especially here," Heath said. "They ask questions of you that other teams don't. They have two or three quality players as good as anyone in the league."

Vela is one of them. He scored his fifth goal this season with that right-footed chip in that 40th minute.

"I didn't know he had a right foot," Miller quipped.

Vela nearly had one before the game was two minutes older. His curling left-footed shot aimed for the back post was just wide.

Miller had seen it all before.

"I had to laugh," said Miller, who started most of LAFC's games their first two seasons. "Carlos and I looked at each other and we just started smiling, just because I've seen that play so many times in training. Sometimes, I'd save it. A lot of times, he would score.

"It was a very iconic play that I'm so familiar with. I knew he was going to try it. I just didn't know when."

When Miller left the stadium Wednesday night, he went with two points and a ring he received for being part of LAFC's 2019 team that won MLS's Supporters' Shield for tthe league's best record.

"It's a really good feeling," Miller said. "I have a lot of really special moments in this stadium with these supporters. Overall, the majority was friendly. There were a few hostile ones. That's to be expected. Overall, the welcome was nice."

The Star Tribune did not travel for this event. This article was written using the television broadcast and video interviews before and/or after the event.