Loons crash out of U.S. Open Cup in 4-2 loss to San Jose

(John Autey/Pioneer Press/TNS)

Minnesota United was in the driver’s seat with less than a half hour remaining in a U.S. Open Cup round of 16 match against San Jose on Tuesday.

But the Loons fell apart in the final stretch, coughing up a 2-1 lead in a 4-2 defeat to the Earthquakes at PayPal Park in San Jose, Calif. The Earthquakes off to one of the hottest starts in MLS history and are adding to it in the Open Cup.

Tomás Chancalay’s great finish from an acute angle in the 64rd minute provided a short-lived lead, but San Jose scored three goals in an eight minute stretch to run into the quarterfinals of the national tournament.

The Loons had cut out individual errors during its six-match unbeaten run in all competitions — which included a victory in the USOC round of 32 on April 14 — but Minnesota’s self-inflicted mistakes resurfaced and cost them a chance at a trophy.

Earthquakes’ Beau LeRoux scored his second goal by beating Minnesota midfielder Nectar Triantis to a pass at the top of the Loons’ box and slotting a shot past Drake Callender in the 73rd minute.

Then fellow MNUFC midfielder Owen Gene was beat on a duel with Ousseni Bouda, who passed it to Niko Tsakiris on a two-on-none breakaway for the assisted of tap-in goals.

MNUFC controlled play in the first half, but trailed 1-0 at then half. Minnesota had nearly 60% of the ball and better scoring chances, but it was San Jose’s Beau LeRoux who scored in the 15th minutes.

Gene turned the ball over on a pass from Jefferson Diaz in their own box and LeRoux pounced on the giveaway in a terrible spot for Minnesota.