The three Minnesota United Development Academy sides played their first home games of their seasons this past weekend, highlighted by a three-goal win for the U13 Development Academy over Chicago Fire — including a brace for Victor Espinoza — as well as a two-goal effort for the U14 Development Academy’s Sylvester Doe and a clean sheet for U14 goalkeeper Oliver Kelly.
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 29
MNUFC U15 DA 0 – 3 Chicago Fire Soccer Academy
In the first game of Minnesota’s home-opening weekend, the Fire started fast and closed out the Loons late. Maximiliano Ibarra got Chicago’s scoring started in the fourth minute, putting the U15s on the back foot in the game’s opening moments. Though MNUFC pushed for an equalizer, the two sides went scoreless over the next 65 minutes until the Fire found its daggers. Constantine Edlund scored in the 69th minute to put the visitors up by two and Max Viera scored in the 80th minute to seal Minnesota’s fate.
MNUFC U13 DA 1 – 1 Indiana Fire Academy
The U13 Loons fell behind early, but rallied late to earn a draw against the Indiana Fire. Indiana’s Rohan Louis opened the scoring in the fifth minute to give the visiting side an early advantage that it took in to halftime. After searching for an equalizer, MNUFC finally found one in the 52nd minute courtesy of Ian Shaul — a goal that secured the deadlock that lasted through the final whistle.
MNUFC U14 DA 3 – 4 Indiana Fire Academy
After falling behind by two, 3-1, MNUFC rallied to equalize, but a late Indiana Fire goal thwarted the Loons effort to complete the comeback. Indiana raced out to a 2-1 lead at halftime with goals from Sam Divis and Benjamin Zec in the third and fourth minutes, countered by a Minnesota goal in the fourth minute from Sylvester Doe. The Fire’s David Alexander added to his team’s advantage in the 51st minute for a 3-1 lead, but the Loons rallied to draw even with Doe’s second of the day in the 61st minute and a Soloman Straub strike in the 68th minute. In the closing minutes, though, Divis scored his second in the 74th minute to give the Fire the lead for good.
SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 30
MNUFC U15 DA 1 – 2 Indiana Fire Academy
After a scoreless opening half, MNUFC grabbed the game’s first lead early on in the second stanza, but was unable to hold on and dropped a one-goal decision. Minnesota’s Mohamed Qaid opened the scoring in the 57th minute to give the Loons a 1-0 advantage, but Indiana came roaring back. The Fire got goals from Noah Reinhart and Joseph Roden in the 63rd and 75th minutes, respectively, to pull ahead and Minnesota failed to conjure a response.
MNUFC U13 DA 4 – 1 Chicago Fire Academy
The Loons fell behind early, but stormed back for a three-goal victory over the Chicago Fire Academy. Chicago got on the board first, but MNUFC got an equalizer from Victor Espinoza before halftime to bring itself level. The Loons then exploded after the break, scoring three unanswered second half goals to run away with the win. Shaul converted a penalty kick for Minnesota’s first lead and Espinoza’s second goal of the match and a Sho Haggerty strike after that gave the Loons all of the offense they needed.
MNUFC U14 DA 0 – 0 Chicago Fire Soccer Academy
MNUFC and Chicago Fire went toe-to-toe for the full 80 minutes, but neither side managed to find a goal as the teams’ backlines held strong in a gritty, defensive performance. Minnesota goalkeeper Oliver Kelly shone between the sticks for the Loons as he kept his first clean sheet of the season.
The Minnesota United U13 and U14 Development Academies return to action on Sunday, October 7 at 9:30 and 11:30 a.m., respectively, against their counterparts from Saint Louis FC Missouri at the National Sports Center in Blaine. The U15 Development Academy will have next weekend off before hosting Shattuck-St. Mary’s on Sunday, October 14 at 10 a.m. at the National Sports Center. The full schedule for all three Development Academy sides can be found at MNUFC.COM.
