MNUFC2 scored first against Houston Dynamo 2 on Wednesday night at SaberCats Stadium, but ultimately conceded a 4-1 defeat to the Texas team. This coming Sunday, the Twos will face Houston Dynamo 2 for the second time in four days.
Within the first seven minutes, MNUFC2 found themselves on the counter-attack, connecting with forward Darius Randell on the left side where he was able to take space up the pitch into the 18-yard box and take the first strike of the match that went wide of the right post and out of bounds.
The first dangerous scoring chance, though, came from the Texas side in the 11th minute after midfielder Ousmane Sylla fired a shot from distance that hit off the crossbar and back into play before the play was called offside.
Minnesota scored the opening goal in the 28th minute after midfielder Rory O’Driscoll was fouled inside the 18-yard box by Houston goalkeeper Xavier Valdez on the challenge, awarding the Twos a penalty kick. O’Driscoll stepped up and was able to convert the shot into the first goal of the night.
Houston Dynamo 2 were able to equalize the score in the 35th minute after putting pressure on the Twos in their defensive third. Houston’s forward Mattheo Dimareli was able to intercept a pass and managed to find Sylla on the six-yard line for a clear shot on goal.
Just three minutes later, Dynamo 2 took the lead after serving a long ball over the top, finding Kieran Sargeant in Minnesota’s defensive third. Sergeant passed it back to Sylla on the right side of the 18-yard box where he was able to dribble through the Twos back line and hit a wide-shot from the left flank, finding his second goal of the night.
The Twos then created a goal scoring opportunity right before half-time after O’Driscoll took a one-touch shot trying to curve the ball into goal from just inside the 18-yard line, but wasn’t able to get enough spin on the ball before it went out of bounds.
MNUFC2 had yet another close chance to goal in the 55th minute that was created from a four-sequence pass up the pitch, where Aidan Martinez was able to get a shot off on the 18-yard line but was deflected by Houston’s back line.
Dynamo 2 netted their third goal in the 59th minute after Sergeant crossed the ball from the right flank to teammate Gabriel Segal for a one-touch shot on the six-yard line, finding the back of the net.
Kai Zeruhn made a crucial save in the 76th minute after Isaiah Reid was able to find a close range shot from the six-yard line, but Zeruhn was able to deflect the shot, keeping Houston to three goals.
In the 86th minute, Houston Dynamo 2 scored their fourth and final goal of the night after Sylla, on his second attempt to goal in the series, was able to chip Zeruhn. The home side kept the score line the same until the final whistle.
GOALS
1-0 MNUFC2 - Rory O’Driscoll, penalty kick (28’)
1-1 HOU2 - Ousmane Sylla, assisted by Mattheo Dimareli (35’)
1-2 HOU2 - Ousmane Sylla, assisted by Kieran Sargeant (38’)
1-3 HOU2 - Gabriel Segal, assisted by Kieran Sargeant (59’)
1-4 HOU2 - Ousmane Sylla, assisted by Stephen Annor Gyamfi (86’)
DISCIPLINARY SUMMARY
Caution, HOU2 - Jefferson Medina Obando (12’)
Caution, HOU2 - Mattheo Dimareli (29’)
Caution, MNUFC2 - Britton Fischer (35’)
Caution, MNUFC2 - Finn McRobb (61’)
Caution, MNUFC2 - Anderson Farris (78’)
Caution, HOU2 - Obafemi Awodesu (87’)
NOTABLE STATS
1 - MNUFC Academy midfielder Griffin Price made his debut appearance for MNUFC2 when he entered the match as a second-half substitute.
2 - Midfielder Rory O'Driscoll converted his second penalty kick attempt of the season tonight, notching his fourth goal overall, to-date, in 2024.
TEAM LEADERS (Updated through August 21)
Goals – Patrick Weah (8)
Assists – Molik Jesse Khan (3)
Saves – Alec Smir (23)
Wins – Clint Irwin (3)
Shutouts – Clint Irwin (2)
