MNUFC2 fought until the very end on Wednesday night, but couldn’t find a way to grab points on the road, falling to Austin FC II for the very first time in MLS NEXT Pro action by a 2-1 score. The Twos’ 10-day Texas road trip came to an end, and the squad returns home to Minnesota for a Saturday afternoon fixture against the Real Monarchs in Blaine.
Early in the match, Austin FC II scored the opening goal in the seventh minute after Antonio Gomez crossed the ball from distance into the box, finding CJ Fodrey inside the six-yard box for a header into goal.
Two minutes later, MNUFC2 found the equalizer after Minnesota defender Britton Fischer sent a long ball up the pitch, connecting with Darius Randell on the run. Randell created a one-on-one with Austin’s goalkeeper and was able to pull him far off his line, leading to a wide open shot on goal that he touched into the back of the net.
Minnesota continued to create chances to goal, in the 27th minute, Jordan Adebayo-Smith took open space on the right side of the pitch, dribbling into the Austin’s half he was able to curve the ball into the 18-yard box. Randell made a run into the box but couldn’t connect with the cross before going wide towards the sideline.
In the 50th minute, Fodrey nearly scored again after firing off a left-footed shot inside the 18-yard box, hitting the crossbar and going out of bounds.
Austin gained the lead in the 55th minute after a long ball was sent over the top finding Fodrey on the right side of the 18-yard box, where he was able to head it to the left flank to teammate Salvatore Mazzaferro, scoring off the double header.
The Twos continued to put pressure on Austin’s back line after a service from the right side found Griffin Price on the opposite side. Price then laid it off to Aidan Martinez just outside the 18-yard box where he fired off a shot that was deflected by Austin’s defense.
Yet again, the Twos continued to find chances in the attacking third after Finn McRobb sent a long ball over the top into Austin’s defensive third where he found Adebayo-Smith on the run for a wide shot that was saved by Marcus Alstrup.
In the 90th minute, MNUFC2 pressed and fought for the equalizer and nearly levelled the score after Martinez struck a shot just outside the 18-yard box that was deflected back out into play. Randell was able to gain possession inside the box and get another shot off, but couldn’t get it on frame, sending the ball wide of the left post.
GOALS
0-1 ATXII - CJ Fodrey, assisted by Antonio Gomez (7’)
1-1 MNUFC2 - Darius Randell, assisted by Britton Fischer (9’)
1-2 ATXII - Salvatore Mazzaferro, assisted by CJ Fodrey (56’)
DISCIPLINARY SUMMARY
Caution, MNUFC2 - Moses Nyeman (22’)
NOTABLE STATS
2 - Forward Darius Randell scored his second goal of the 2024 MLS NEXT Pro regular season, notably his first tally since signing a professional contract with MNUFC2 on August 20, 2024.
TEAM LEADERS (Updated through August 28)
Goals – Patrick Weah (8)
Assists – Britton Fischer, Molik Jesse Khan (3)
Saves – Alec Smir (23)
Wins – Clint Irwin (3)
Shutouts – Clint Irwin (2)
