Jordan Adebayo-Smith scored the lone goal for MNUFC2 tonight against Houston Dynamo 2, but the Twos were unable to withstand the Houston offense, ultimately falling 3-1 on Sunday night at SaberCats Stadium. Next, the Twos go against Austin FC II on Wednesday in Austin, Texas.
Houston Dynamo 2 had the first dangerous chance on goal in the 11th minute of the match after Moses Nyeman conceded a foul in Minnesota’s defensive third. Houston forward Gabriel Segal stepped up and fired a shot from just outside the 18-yard box, hitting the crossbar.
Dynamo 2 had yet another close scoring opportunity in the 15th minute after a give-and-go sequence between Ousmane Sylla and Diego Gonzalez, created space for Sylla to take space inside the 18-yard box where he was able to get a shot off but Hugo Bacharach blocked the attempt and cleared the ball out.
MNUFC2 found the opening goal in the 33rd minute after a service from the corner found Finn McRobb on the six-yard line. McRobb was able to head the ball to the left flank, finding Jordan Adebayo-Smith for the volley to goal, finding the back of the net.
In the 38th minute, Twos keeper Francesco Montali made a diving one-handed save when a ball from a Houston set piece curled across the box and near the upper corner of the far post. Montali’s save kept the game at 1-0 in favor of MNUFC2.
But less than a minute later, Houston Dynamo 2 found the equalizer in the 39th minute after McRobb tried to clear the ball from a service inside Minnesota’s defensive third but headed the ball towards the Twos goal, scoring an own goal for Dynamo Dos.
Dynamo 2 nearly gained the lead in the 41st minute after Kieran Sargeant found himself one versus one with Montali where he tried to flick it past the Twos goalkeeper but hit the left post.
Early into the second half, Minnesota found Darius Randell in the middle third where he took space up the pitch into the 18-yard box, where he left the ball for Nieves for a left-footed shot that was deflected out by Houston goalkeeper Xavier Valdez.
In the 53rd minute, Dynamo Dos were able to gain the lead after Jefferson Valverde slipped the ball through the Twos’ back line, finding Gabriel Segal inside the 18-yard box. Pulling Montali off his line, Segal chipped the MNUFC2 keeper, finding the center of the goal.
Houston added to their lead in the 59th minute after possession bounced around Minnesota’s 18-yard box until finding Segal inside the 6-yard box where he was able to slip it past Montali into goal.
Aidan Martinez found a goal scoring opportunity in the 66th minute after running onto a through ball and taking space, finding an open shot from the left side of the 18-yard box that was saved by Valdez.
Yet again, the Twos kept Houston under pressure in the 88th minute after Anderson Farris crossed the ball from the left side, trying to find Martinez for the header on the opposite side but curved it too far wide, going out of bounds.
GOALS
1-0 MNUFC2 - Jordan Adebayo-Smith, assisted by Finn McRobb (33’)
1-1 HOU2 - Finn McRobb, own goal (39’)
1-2 HOU2 - Gabriel Segal, assisted by Jefferson Valverde (53’)
1-3 HOU2 - Gabriel Segal, assisted by Obafemi Awodesu (59’)
DISCIPLINARY SUMMARY
Caution, HOU2 - Kieran Sargeant (24’)
Caution, MNUFC2 - Anderson Farris (37’)
Caution, HOU2 - Xavier Valdez (65’)
Caution, HOU2 - Obafemi Awodesu (74’)
Caution, HOU2 - Sebastian Rodriguez (85’)
Caution, MNUFC2 - Justin Arias (90’)
Caution, MNUFC2 - Britton Fischer (90’+2’)
TEAM LEADERS (Updated through August 25)
Goals – Patrick Weah (8)
Assists – Molik Jesse Khan (3)
Saves – Alec Smir (23)
Wins – Clint Irwin (3)
Shutouts – Clint Irwin (2)
