MNUFC2 was not able to stifle a high scoring Colorado Rapids 2 team on Sunday night, losing 4-1 at home.
The visiting team, hailing from the Rocky Mountains, set the bar high from the opening minutes of the match through the remainder of the first half. Rapids 2 held a large percentage of possession in the first 45, and MNUFC2 was only able to find a few quick breakaway moments during that time.
On the opposite end, Colorado was able to make the most of breakaway chances and their ability to find space behind MNUFC2’s back line. That ability on Sunday night proved successful, and in the 23rd minute, Rapids 2 opened up the scoring. Connor Miller ran through the Twos defense, striking a shot from just inside the 18-yard box that gave the visiting the 1-0 lead. Less than two minutes later, Remi Cabral received a long through-ball pass that landed behind MNUFC2’s Britton Fischer, beating the Loons defender and finishing the shot into net over goalkeeper Fred Emmings to double their lead.
Rapids 2 opened up the second half by adding a third goal in the 54th minute from Oliver Larraz, who was the recipient of a give-and-go pass into the 18, using one touch before finding the back of the net to extend the lead to 3-0.
Two minutes later, MNUFC2 got on the scoresheet against Colorado when forward Cameron Dunbar received a pass inside the box from fellow forward Kameron Lacey, netting the goal and cutting the lead to 3-1. The assist by Lacey was notably his first for MNUFC2.
Colorado Rapids 2 added a late fourth goal on the night when a breakaway off a MNUFC2 corner kick led to several connected passes and a 1v1 between Cabral and Emmings, with Cabral netting the final goal of the night.
With the loss, MNUFC2 stand in sixth place in MLS NEXT Pro Western Conference regular-season action with a 4-3-3 record (W-L-D) and 19 points.
MNUFC2 next travels to the Pacific Northwest to face Timbers2 at Providence Park in Portland, Oregon on Saturday, June 3. Kick for the match against Timbers2 is set for 2:00 p.m. CT.
GOALS
0-1 COL – Connor Miller, assisted by Jackson Travis (23’)
0-2 COL – Remi Cabral, assisted by Oliver Larraz (25’)
0-3 COL – Oliver Larraz, assisted by Marlon Vargas (54’)
1-3 MIN – Cameron Dunbar, assisted by Kameron Lacey (56’)
1-4 COL – Remi Cabral, assisted by Steve Flores (90’+2’)
DISCIPLINAIRY SUMMARY
Caution, MIN – Britton Fischer (62’)
Caution, MIN – CC Uche (67’)
Caution, MIN – Carlos Leatherman (71’)
NOTABLE STATS
1 – Forward Kameron Lacey provided his first MNUFC2 and MLS NEXT Pro assist on Cameron Dunbar’s lone Loons goal
TEAM LEADERS (Updated through May 28)
Goals – Diogo Pacheco (6)
Assists – Diogo Pacheco (4)
Saves – Fred Emmings (27)
Wins – Fred Emmings (4)
Shutouts – Fred Emmings (1)
