Minnesota United head coach Eric Ramsay didn’t want to “lean into my frustration” after the 2-1 loss to Austin FC in a U.S. Open Cup semifinal on Wednesday.

Ramsay’s measured response came amid the most gut-wrenching defeat of his two-year tenure and amid a big officiating no-call midway through the first half that led to Austin taking a 1-0 lead just before the break at Allianz Field.

After a back-and-forth between them, Austin winger Osman Bukari kicked Loons’ wingback Anthony Markanich in the knee, but Bukari was only given a yellow card for the action by referee Alexis Da Silva. After not getting ejected for a red card, Bukari scored the go-ahead goal in first-half stoppage time.

“I’m not one to stand up here often and talk about refereeing, but I feel like the Bukari one, the rationale for him not being sent off is he has not kicked him hard enough,” Ramsay said from the post-game podium. “As far as I’m concerned, that action nine times out of 10 results in a (red card and a) sending off. I think it was as clear as could possibly be. I feel like that is one that we will rue and question. I’m sure we will lose some sleep over that one (Wednesday) night.”

But Ramsay looked at his own team’s defensive lapses for costing them a chance to win their first trophy in hosting the national tournament’s final against Nashville SC in St. Paul on Oct. 1.

Austin’s CJ Fodrey scored in the 120th and final minute of the match for a 2-1 result. If not for Loons defenders allowing that late winner, Minnesota and Austin were only 10 seconds from going to penalty kicks.

“Ultimately we are in the game,” Ramsay said. “Penalties are there. It’s our own undoing and not one I’m going to pin on the refereeing.”