MNUFC2 earned its second-consecutive shutout and a point on Thursday night when it played to a 0-0 draw in regulation at St. Louis CITY 2, but the Missouri side would take the extra point after winning the shootout from the mark.
It was a night filled with scoring chances from both MNUFC2 and St. Louis CITY 2, but neither side was able to capitalize on those key moments in front of goal.
St. Louis CITY 2’s closest scoring chance in the first half came in the 15th minute when a long-range shot by Ezra Armstrong was sent straight on center of the net, but MNUFC2 goalkeeper Alec Smir made the blocking save to keep the score even at 0-0.
The Twos upped their pressure in the final 10 minutes of the first half and were almost rewarded for the swing of momentum. In the 33rd minute, midfielder Zaydan Bello gained possession, spun out of double coverage and sent a through-ball to forward Kameron Lacey. Lacey then turned to beat two CITY 2 defenders, taking a shot that ultimately missed just wide left of the post.
In the second half, there was continued end-to-end, back-and-forth action between the Twos and CITY 2. The St. Louis squad kept a steady possession throughout the remainder of the game, but again couldn’t capitalize on scoring chances, including a late-game effort in the third minute of added stoppage time when a shot at close range was saved by Smir at the near post.
MNUFC2 would also have a stoppage-time chance just a minute later when midfielder Diogo Pacheco sent a ball into the center of the St. Louis six-yard box and fellow midfielder Emmanuel Iwe connected, but sent his shot high and slightly off target.
The game ended 0-0 in regulation and went straight to a shootout from the mark to settle the second point between the teams. CITY 2 ultimately left Thursday night with that second point, winning the shootout 4-3.
With the result, MNUFC2 stand in ninth place in MLS NEXT Pro Western Conference regular-season action with a 5-5-4 record (W-L-D) and 20 points.
MNUFC2 begins a three-game home stretch and will next host Timbers2 on Sunday, July 2. Kick for the contest against the Portland side is set for 6:00 p.m. CT at the National Sports Center Stadium in Blaine, Minnesota.
GOALS
None
DISCIPLINAIRY SUMMARY
Caution, MIN – Cedrik Gbo (22’)
Caution, MIN – Carlos Leatherman (24’)
Caution, STL – Dida Armstrong (45’+1’)
Caution, MIN – Zaydan Bello (55’)
Caution, STL – Sergio Rivas (64’)
Caution, STL – Fritz Volmar (82’)
Caution, STL – Larson Hackworth (85’)
SHOOTOUT SUMMARY
MIN
Uche – Scored
Pacheco – Saved
Iwe – Scored
Lacey – Scored
O’Driscoll – Saved
STL
Schneider – Scored
Wentzel – Scored
O’Malley – Scored
Bettache – Saved
E. Armstrong – Scored
NOTABLE STATS
5 & 2 – MNUFC2 goalkeeper Alec Smir made five saves against St. Louis CITY 2 on Thursday night, helping secure his second-straight shutout.
19 – The Twos defense made 19 successful tackles against CITY 2, with defender Geremy Rodas and midfielder Leo Conneh each making three successful tackle contributions.
TEAM LEADERS (Updated through June 22)
Goals – Diogo Pacheco (6)
Assists – Diogo Pacheco (4)
Saves – Fred Emmings (30)
Wins – Fred Emmings (4)
Shutouts – Alec Smir (2)
