ICYMI: Ramirez plays hero in Austin debut, Lod opens Chicago account, and other quick hits from the weekend

It was a weekend defined by dramatic late goals and massive debuts for former Minnesota United players.

Christian Ramirez wasted absolutely no time making his presence felt in Texas. Just days after being acquired by Austin FC and reuniting with Joseph Rosales, the veteran striker came off the bench to play the hero. Ramirez crashed the box and headed home an 82nd-minute rebound to secure a thrilling 1–0 debut victory over D.C. United in front of his new home crowd.

Meanwhile, in the Windy City, Robin Lod officially opened his account for the Chicago Fire. Stepping onto the pitch as a 94th-minute substitute, the Finnish international immediately made his mark, scoring from close range just moments after checking in to put the final exclamation point on a 3–0 shutout against CF Montreal.

Beyond those late-game heroics, it was a busy few days across the globe. From Tani Oluwaseyi stepping onto the pitch at Camp Nou against Barcelona to Dayne St. Clair making crucial second-half saves to secure a Florida Derby win for Inter Miami, our former Loons were in the thick of the action.

Here is your complete recap of how everyone fared this weekend:

Friday, Feb. 27

  • Wessel Speel (Drogheda United 1, Shelbourne 2): Speel started in goal and played the full 90 minutes, helping Shelbourne secure a 2-1 road victory in Premier Division action.
  • Francisco Calvo (Al-Hazm 3, Al-Ettifaq 1): Calvo started on the backline and logged 90 minutes for Al-Ettifaq, registering four tackles and a shot on target in a 3-1 road defeat.

Saturday, Feb. 28

  • Matúš Kmeť (Žilina 0, Dunajska Streda 0): Kmeť featured on the right wing for Dunajska Streda, logging 83 minutes of action in a scoreless draw. He was highly efficient in possession, completing 87% of his passes (20 of 23) and perfectly connecting on all four of his long ball attempts.
  • Tani Oluwaseyi (Barcelona 4, Villarreal 1): Oluwaseyi made a late cameo for Villarreal, coming on as an 80th-minute substitute and helping create an offside scoring chance during their 4-1 defeat at Camp Nou.
  • Robin Lod (Chicago Fire 3, CF Montreal 0): Lod made a massive impact in limited action, entering the match in the 94th minute and scoring his first goal for the club from close range to cap off a 3-0 stoppage-time victory.

  • Alexis Fariña (2 de Mayo 1, Sportivo Trinidense 0): Fariña started in the midfield for 2 de Mayo, logging 59 minutes before being substituted during their 1-0 home victory.
  • Hassani Dotson (Real Salt Lake 2, Seattle Sounders 1): Dotson started and played 81 minutes in the midfield for Seattle, picking up an early yellow card in their 2-1 road loss.
  • Alejandro Bran (Puntarenas FC 2, LD Alajuelense 0): Bran saw action in the midfield for LD Alajuelense during their Saturday clash against Puntarenas FC. He picked up a yellow card during his shift before being substituted off in the 76th minute.
  • Aziel Jackson and Raheem Edwards (Vancouver Whitecaps 3, Toronto FC 0): Jackson started and was highly influential for Vancouver, drawing the penalty that led to the opening goal before being subbed off in the 71st minute. Edwards entered the match as a halftime substitute for Toronto FC but could not help his squad spark a comeback in the 3-0 defeat.

Sunday, March 1

  • Mikael Marques (IFK Skövde 0, Djurgardens IF 8): Marques entered the match as a halftime substitute for Djurgardens IF, helping his side lock down the defense and cruise to a massive 8–0 victory in Svenska Cupen action.
  • Christian Ramirez and Joseph Rosales (Austin FC 1, D.C. United 0): Ramirez made an immediate and massive impact in his debut for Austin FC. After being acquired just days prior, the veteran forward came off the bench to score the game-winning goal in the 82nd minute, heading home a rebound to secure a 1–0 home victory. Rosales earned the starting nod for Austin FC alongside his new teammate, putting in a solid 77-minute shift before being substituted late.

  • Dayne St. Clair (Orlando City SC 2, Inter Miami 4): St. Clair started in net for Inter Miami in the heated Florida Derby, coming up clutch by making three crucial saves in the second half to help secure a thrilling 4–2 comeback victory on the road against Orlando City.
  • Moses Nyeman (New York Red Bulls II 4, Columbus Crew 2 2): Nyeman started in the midfield for Columbus Crew 2, logging 64 minutes of action before being substituted off in a high-scoring 4–2 defeat on the road.
  • Cameron Dunbar (New England Revolution II 1, Atlanta United 2 1): Dunbar started and played the full match for Atlanta United 2 in their season opener. He successfully converted his penalty kick in the ensuing shootout, but Atlanta ultimately fell 4–2 on penalties following a hard-fought 1–1 draw.
  • Sang Bin Jeong San Diego FC 2, St. Louis City 0): Jeong started in the attacking midfield for St. Louis City, logging 58 minutes of action against San Diego before being substituted off in a 2–0 road defeat.