MNUFC2 captured a thrilling 1-0 victory over Austin FC II to open their 2025 regular season. Both sides were 0-0 going into added stoppage time, but Minnesota defender Kisa Kiingi scored six minutes into that stoppage time, tying Jordan Adebayo-Smith for the latest-ever MNUFC2 goal scored. Notably, eight players made their MNUFC2 and MLS NEXT Pro debut during the season opener. Next, the Twos will take on Houston Dynamo 2 on March 30 at the SaberCats Stadium.
2’ - MNUFC2 created an early chance on goal after the Twos midfield slotted the ball through Austin’s back line, finding Logan Dorsey in behind for a shot on goal that was saved by Austin FC II goalkeeper Marcus Alstrup.
8’ - MNUFC2 was awarded a free kick on the left side of the field just outside the 18-yard box. The ball was delivered to the right side of the box, where a well-placed header was directed toward the left post. However, it lacked the necessary curve and narrowly missed the target.
12’ - Wessel Speel made his first save of the match after the Texas side sent a long ball over the top to Anthony De Anda who was able to break through Minnesota’s defense. De Anda fired off a shot from the right flank, but Speel made the easy save.
18’ - The Twos continued to create scoring opportunities, this time through Loïc Mesanvi. Mesanvi received a pass near the penalty spot from Dorsey, controlled the ball, and dribbled before taking a shot. However, goalkeeper Marcus Alstru made a crucial save on the line to deny the attempt.
45’ + 6’ - Yet again, Dorsey found himself breaking Austin’s back line after receiving the ball from Curt Calov who chipped the ball over the top of the opposition's defense. But, even though Dorsey was able to get a shot off, he was unable to get the ball on frame, missing wide of the right post.
63’- The Twos continued to be a danger as Dorsey played Mesanvi at the top of the 18-yard box, setting him up for a run down the left side. Mesanvi drove into the box and fired a left-footed shot aiming to switch the post, but Alstrup made a crucial save to deny the attempt.
78’ - The Verde and Black on the counter-attack, sent a long ball over the top, finding an Austin forward inside Minnesota’s box, but Speel was able to dive and pick the ball off the opposition's feet, keeping the score 0-0.
89’ - Goalkeeper Marcus Alstrup batted the ball away as Darius Randell attempted a header toward the right side of the goal, following a cross from the left side of the 18-yard box.
90’ + 5’- MNUFC2 were the only ones to find the back of the net in the added time. Kisa Kiingi received an aerial ball from Chandler off a corner delivery. The cross was sent to the far post, where Kiingi directed a header towards the near post to give the Twos all three points in the final moments of the match.
GOALS
1-0 MNUFC2 - Kisa Kiingi (Kieran Chandler) - 90’ + 6’
DISCIPLINARY SUMMARY
Caution, MNUFC2 - Carlos Casillas-Lopez (22’)
Caution, MNUFC2 - Kisa Kiingi (24’)
Caution, MNUFC2 - Anderson Farris (47’)
Caution, ATXII - Anthony De Anda (58’)
Caution, MNUFC2 - Curt Calov (69’)
Caution, MNUFC2 - Aidan Martinez (83’)
NOTABLE STATS
8 - Eight players made their MNUFC2 and MLS NEXT Pro debuts: goalkeeper Wessel Speel, defenders Kisa Kiingi and Kieran Chandler, midfielders Curt Calov and Issa Saidi, and forwards Logan Dorsey, Luke Hille, and Muba Nour.
T-1 - Defender Kisa Kiingi’s 90’+6’ stoppage-time goal is tied for the latest-ever MNUFC2 goal scored. Jordan Adebayo-Smith scored in that same minute against Colorado Rapids 2 on Sept. 27, 2024.
LINEUPS
MNUFC2 XI:
GK GK W Speel; D DJ Taylor (Aidan Martinez 77’) , Kisa Kiingi, Britton Fischer, Anderson Farris, Kieran Chandler; M Carlos Casillas-Lopez (William Schmidt 64’); Curt Calov, Loïc Mesanvi (Issa Saidi 84’); F Luke Hille (Darius Randell 64’), Logan Dorsey (Muba Nour 77’)
Substitutes Not Used:
GK Keane Perkins; D Rayme Nyembwe
ATXII XI:
GK Marcus Alstrup; D Rubén Bonachera, Antonio Gomez ©, Nicolás Van Rijin, Daniel Ciesla; M Adrián González, Ervin Torres Jr., Diego Abarca (Patrik Gryczewski 71’); F Micah Burton, Peter Grogan (Vlad Dănciuțiu 87’), Anthony De Anda (Mohammad Badawiya 90’ +4’)
Substitutes Not Used:
GK Aaron Cervantes; D Lucas Cavalcante, Santiago Maynez; M Jorge Alastuey Aperte; F Chris Avila
