Soccer
One game into his MLS career, Minnesota United FC‘s Nectarios Triantis already has an AT&T Goal of the Year candidate.
The U22 Initiative summer signing had a dream debut for the Loons on Saturday, scoring a brilliant strike from beyond midfield as his new club stunned Western Conference-leading San Diego FC with a 3-1 win at Snapdragon Stadium.
Triantis, acquired from English Premier League side Sunderland AFC last month, had a hit from way, way out in second-half stoppage time, sending his shot over backpedaling goalkeeper CJ dos Santos and into the back of the net.
The 22-year-old also assisted on Carlos Harvey‘s 77th-minute goal, further contributing to a massive result that set a new single-season club record for points (54), eclipsing their previous best of 53 in 2019.
“I’ve watched him a lot prior to coming in,” said Minnesota head coach Eric Ramsay postgame. “I know the level he’s played at. I know what he’s been through over the course of pre-season.
“I know the level of a Premier League pre-season and for him to have done that over six, seven weeks and be a part of very competitive, very, very competitive teams, in friendly games, you know he’s going to be somewhere near match ready for this level and he couldn’t have had a better debut in my eyes, showed real maturity for someone of his age.”
the view from the bench pic.twitter.com/3jsc8ijgoe
— x – Minnesota United FC (@MNUFC) September 14, 2025
This historic haul has Minnesota sitting second in the West, two points behind San Diego and just three behind the Supporters’ Shield-leading Philadelphia Union, with four games remaining.
Triantis helped the cause in less than half an hour on the pitch, coming on as a substitute in the 63rd minute after replacing Owen Gene.
One can only imagine what Triantis will do when he gets his first start.
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