Capitalizing on a late-game turnover and an opposing side who were down a man, MNUFC2 midfielder Rory O’Driscoll scored the game-winning goal on Friday night against Colorado Rapids 2 at the National Sports Center Stadium in Blaine.
It was a battle for control in the midfield after the first 20 minutes of the match, where neither team was able to control possession to advance the ball into the opposing thirds. Both defenses also managed to stifle any opportunities for shots.
Colorado Rapids 2 had the first close scoring chance of the game in the 32nd minute when Ricardo Pena came crashing into the box while Minnesota goalkeeper Clint Irwin attempted a goal kick pass to midfielder Rory O’Driscoll. Pena collided with O’Driscoll, gaining possession inside the 18-yard box before passing to a teammate. The following close-range shot was eventually blocked, resulting in a Colorado corner kick.
Minnesota’s first big chance of the game came in the 37th minute. A cross, whipped in by Will Schmidt, found the head of Dom Mawing, who put the ball into the back of the net. However, it was ruled offside by the line judge, and the score remained equal.
Shortly after their goal was ruled offside, the Twos once again had another scoring opportunity in the 39th minute, when Rapids 2 keeper Zackory Campagnolo’s pass, intended to go outside the 18-yard box, was mishandled by the defender. Schmidt crashed toward the turnover, kicking the ball loose and back inside the box, where Aiden Martinez had open space at close range, only to see his lofted shot missed just north of the crossbar.
The beginning of the second half was more of the same, where midfield action couldn’t convert into scoring chances, as both defenses continued to hold strong. But, in the 60th minute, MNUFC2 found space on the left side of the Rapids 2 box. Nieves ran toward the center of the box, laying off a pass to defensive winger Britton Fischer, who then took a powerful strike at goal, ultimately being saved.
In the 63rd minute, Rapids 2 midfielder Daouda Amadou conceded a hard foul on O’Driscoll, resulting in a second caution being shown in just four minutes time. Amadou was subsequently sent off, leaving the Rocky Mountain side to finish the match with 10 men.
Martinez then gave the Twos a strong look at goal in the 69th minute when Romanshyn Jr. laid up another pass inside the box, leading Martinez to turn and find open space near the penalty mark. His shot hit the post and the rebound shot by Schmidt sailed high of the goal.
It was a moment in the 82nd minute that made the difference in Friday night’s match. Rory O’Driscoll gave Minnesota the lead and scored the eventual game-winner when a failed header clearance by Colorado gave the Minneapolis native the ball at the top of the box. O’Driscoll then made a quick fake and turn at the semi-circle, hitting a shot to the opposite post and finding the net to give the Twos a 1-0 victory.
GOALS
1-0 MNUFC2 - Rory O’Driscoll (82’)
DISCIPLINARY SUMMARY
Caution, MNUFC2 - Rory O’Driscoll (32’)
Caution, MNUFC2 - Kage Romanshyn Jr. (42’)
Caution, MNUFC2 - Giovanni Cruz (51’)
Caution, COL2 - Joshua Belluz (52’)
Caution, COL2 - Ricardo Pena (52’)
Caution, COL2 - Daouda Amadou (59’)
Ejection, COL2 - Daouda Amadou (63’)
Caution, MNUFC2 - Justin Arias (72’)
Caution, MNUFC2 - Julian Banks (80’)
NOTABLE STATS
1 - MNUFC2 forward Enrique Nieves and MNUFC Academy U19 midfielder Will Schmidt both made their first MLS NEXT Pro & MNUFC2 starts tonight against Colorado Rapids 2.
3 & 2 - Tonight’s shoutout victory over Colorado Rapids 2 was MNUFC2’s third shutout of the season and first team goalkeeper Clint Irwin’s second earned clean sheet of the MLS NEXT Pro season.
TEAM LEADERS (Updated through July 26)
Goals – Patrick Weah (8)
Assists – Molik Jesse Khan (3)
Saves – Alec Smir (19)
Wins – Alec Smir (2)
Shutouts – Clint Irwin (2)
