MNUFC2 on Sunday’s “Decision Day” MLS NEXT Pro season finale fell to North Texas SC by an 8-2 score at Choctaw Stadium in Arlington, Texas. The Twos’ loss to North Texas was notably their only loss across the final six games of the 2024 regular season.
Two minutes into the match, North Texas SC scored the opening goal after Herbert Endeley received the ball, turning to face goal as he took space into the 18-yard box past the MNUFC2 defense, where he fired a right-footed shot finding the back of the net.
North Texas doubled their lead in the 16th minute after capitalizing on the counter-attack. Pedrinho, in the middle-third of the pitch, passed the ball off to Enes Sali in the final third for a shot, but hit the crossbar back into play. Pedrinho gained possession on the left flank where he dribbled past MNUFC Academy U18 goalkeeper Kai Zeruhn, placing the ball into goal.
Zeruhn a few minutes later foiled another close scoring chance by the home side when Pedrinho started a give-and-go passing sequence inside the box with Endeley. Endeley’s shot at close range was ultimately stopped by Zeruhn’s kick-save, forcing a North Texas re-start.
MNUFC2 had a dangerous look on goal after Aidan Martinez was left unmarked inside North Texas’ box for a close-range shot on goal that was blocked by goalkeeper Michael Collodi.
The Twos then found their way onto the scoreboard in the 30th minute after utilizing a high-press to put North Texas under pressure. Darius Randell on the right side caused a turnover inside the Texas 18-yard box. Randell took a close-range shot that was deflected by Collodi back out into play, where Jordan Adebayo-Smith received the rebound and scored the first goal of the day for MNUFC2.
Minnesota created another dangerous chance on goal after sending a through ball to Randell on the right side for a one-versus-one with Collodi, Randell fired a shot off but was saved by the North Texas goalkeeper.
In the 39th minute, North Texas scored their third goal of the first half. Forward Tarik Scott found open space on the left side of the MNUFC2 defending third, making a move to separate from the Twos back line. His strike from 20 yards out slipped past Zeruhn and into the left side of the netting to make the score 3-1.
Sali scored the fourth goal of the half for North Texas after dribbling up the pitch into Minnesota’s defensive third, where he took a shot from the left side of the 18-yard box, finding the back of the net.
MNUFC2 goalkeeper Oscar Herrera made a crucial save in the 54th minute after coming in as a substitute at the start of the second half. Texas midfielder Herbert Endeley was played a long-ball, taking a shot from the right side of the 18-yard box, but Herrera blocked the close-range shot, keeping the Texas side from scoring in the second half.
The Twos continued to put pressure on North Texas. Adebayo-Smith nearly scored in the 62nd minute after the ball was played over-the-top, finding him in-behind for a close-range shot. But Adebayo-Smith couldn’t get his shot on-frame, missing wide of the post.
North Texas midfielder Tomas Pondeca scored the fifth goal for the home side in the 67th minute. Nine minutes later, Malik Henry-Scott added a sixth goal for North Texas. Yet again, the Texas side scored their seventh goal in the 81st minute. Just two minutes later, Diego Garcia scored their eighth goal.
MNUFC2 were granted a penalty kick after Rory O’Driscoll was fouled inside the 18-yard box. O’Driscoll stepped up to take the free kick where he was able to convert the penalty into a goal for Minnesota in the 89th minute.
The 2024 MLS NEXT Pro season has come to an end for MNUFC2 following this afternoon’s game. The Twos will return to action in March 2025, with a full-season schedule expected in the early months of next year.
GOALS
0-1 NTX - Herbert Endeley, assisted by Diego Garcia (2’)
0-2 NTX - Pedrinho (16’)
1-2 MNUFC2 - Jordan Adebayo-Smith (30’)
1-3 NTX - Tarik Scott, assisted by Enes Sali (39’)
1-4 NTX - Enes Sali, assisted by Tyshawn Rose (45’+7’)
1-5 NTX - Tomas Pondeca, assisted by Enes Sali (67’)
1-6 NTX - Malik Henry-Scott, assisted by Tyshawn Rose (77’)
1-7 NTX - Tomas Pondeca, assisted by Mads Westergren (81’)
1-8 NTX - Diego Garcia (83’)
2-8 MNUFC2 - Rory O’Driscoll, penalty kick (89’)
DISCIPLINARY SUMMARY
Caution, NTX - Pedrinho (14’)
Caution, NTX - Nolan Norris (45’ + 1’)
NOTABLE STATS
1 - Goalkeeper Oscar Herrera made his first MNUFC2 game appearance when he came into the match as a substitute at the start of the second half.
TEAM LEADERS (Updated through Oct. 6)
Goals – Patrick Weah (8)
Assists – Britton Fischer (4)
Saves – Alec Smir (26)
Wins – Alec Smir (4)
Shutouts – Clint Irwin (2)
