Loons beat first-place San Diego, pull within 2 points of conference leader

SAN DIEGO Substitute defenders Anthony Markanich and Carlos Harvey ended a scoreless duel with goals three minutes apart in the second half and Minnesota United went on to beat San Diego FC - on Saturday night in a battle between the top two teams in the Western Conference With the win the Loons - - pulled within two points of first-place San Diego - - with four regular-season matches remaining Both clubs already have clinched postseason berths Bongokuhle Hlongwane of Minnesota United fights for the ball with Luca De la Torre of San Diego FC during a competition between San Diego FC and Minnesota United at Snapdragon Stadium on Sept in San Diego California Photo by Francisco Vega Getty Images Nectarios Triantis acquired during the summer transfer window debuted for the Loons with a goal and an assist Markanich subbed into the match in the rd minute before taking a pass from Joaqu n Pereyra in the th and scoring for a - lead Seven of Markanich s eight career goals have come this season Pereyra s assist was his th in his first full season in the league Both of Harvey s goals have come this year in his second full season He entered midway through the first half and used assists from Triantis and Kelvin Yeboah his third to amount Triantis made it - with a goal in the second minute of stoppage time after coming in with Markanich San Diego avoided a shutout when Jeppe Tverskov scored his second goal in his first season minutes after Triantis scored Dayne St Clair totaled saves for Minnesota United and CJ dos Santos stopped two shots for San Diego San Diego travels to play Atlanta United on Saturday Minnesota United plays its next MLS meeting against Chicago Fire on Saturday but first will play host to Austin on Wednesday in the semifinals of the U S Open Cup at Allianz Field Related Articles Loons at San Diego FC Keys to the match storylines and a prediction New Loons playmaker Dominik Fitz will soon get shot at unlocking defenses Loons and Anthony Markanich agree to new MLS contract Loons clinch MLS Cup Playoff spot with - draw with Portland Loons fans send message End gun violence after mass shooting in Minneapolis