Minnesota’s U18, U16, and U15 teams all played host to Indiana clubs Indy Eleven and Hoosier Premier this weekend, dominating the field with high-scoring games against the former and bagging mixed results against the latter. Some excellent game awareness and instincts led to a stunning total of 25 goals between the three sides.
U18
MNUFC 5 - 1 Indy Eleven
MNUFC 1 - 2 Hoosier Premier
Coach Alex Morawiecki’s U18s put up an excellent performance against Indy Eleven on Saturday, putting away three goals by the end of the first half — two in the run of play and one off a corner. Indy Eleven responded well, relentlessly coming at Minnesota and sneaking in some payback in the second half with a goal in transition, but Minnesota found the back of the net twice more before the final whistle, cementing a significant win.
Bryan Espadero and Donovan Sinicropi each put their names on the scoresheet with a goal, while Nathan Moua showcased his skill with two, taking full advantage of his opportunities. Morawiecki was impressed with his clean possession and excellent movement. Dom Mawing took strides in passing out of the back and added a great amount of composure to the build-up, getting a goal and an assist. Ari van Mol stretched Indy Eleven out wide with some dangerous service.
The boys couldn’t find the same traction on Sunday against a fresh Hoosier Premier side. Unable to break down the opposition’s low block, Minnesota conceded off a corner kick and a loose-throw in ball, sometimes suffering stretches without the ball despite 80/20 possession.
Mawing showed strong field awareness once again, finding Minnesota's sole goal of the match and recognizing what the game called for, especially on the chase. Despite the loss, there’s a good lesson in execution here, and Morawiecki hopes to use the scenario to enhance the group’s understanding of critical attunement to small moments in a tight game.
U16
MNUFC 5 - 1 Indy Eleven
MNUFC 1 - 2 Hoosier Premier
Jamie Carroll-Rolfe’s U16s also bagged five goals against Indy Eleven on Saturday, dominating the pitch and responding well to going behind early in the first half. Brody Schauf executed well-timed runs behind the last line, excelled in attacking the box, and dominated in 1v1 play, scoring one goal for Minnesota. Lazar Angelovski attracted the opposition’s midfield to open up space for progression by his teammates and timed his box movement well, in addition to finding the back of the net. George Porter read the field to exploit space with great pass timing and found space between Indy’s lines to progress the ball forward. Alex Holst, Tim Dennis, and Donatien Nzambimana scored one apiece.
Sunday saw a very different game against Hoosier Premier, who defended deep but had a good handle on closing space. Minnesota once again played their second day in a row against a fresh team, which Caroll-Rolfe said became more evident as the game went on. The 16s were unable to move the ball at the pace they wanted to, and some lapses in decision-making ended in a loss, but the game was a great learning moment for a team that hadn’t yet faced the kind of defending that Hoosier Premier put forth.
Max Harwood was able to find space in wide areas, moving the ball through the Hoosier lines and dominating his individual battles. Brett Isaacson demonstrated excellent passing instincts and was quick on the first and second balls whenever the opposition was direct. Arvin Tabukum also opened space for ball progression on the dribble and was quick to locate players in space. Minnesota’s goal came from Tim Dennis, his second of the weekend.
U15
MNUFC 7 - 1 Indy Eleven
MNUFC 6 - 1 Hoosier Premier
The 15s swept the weekend with a whopping 13 total goals from seven different scorers in two games. The team’s first match against Indy Eleven saw Minnesota dominate the game both on and off the ball all the way through, scoring five goals in the first half and two in the second. The boys stayed focused in what coach Amin Qasim called a “statement performance and deserved win,” noting the players’ professionalism throughout the whole of the matchup.
Alex Densley came away with a stunning hattrick, Julian Vasquez scored a brace, and Hector Cruz and Everad Gordon each got one past the keeper. Gordon demonstrated attentive play both in and out of possession, and Nosazena Osagie was a major threat going forward.
On Sunday, the team carried their momentum into a match against Hoosier Premier. Qasim was able to rotate the squad and freshen up the lineup with some new players while still looking for a win. Against a low block, Minnesota scored a quick three in the first half and three more in the second.
Aydin Begic bagged a brace, and Bruno De La Hoya came away with an assist and a goal. Collin Barnes played well and controlled the game for Minnesota along with Mario Vera-Martinez, whose fresh legs helped the team retain possession and dictate tempo. Hector Cruz and Abraham Asemota each scored a goal as well.
MNUFC Academy hosts again next weekend with the U18s and U16s playing Sporting Kansas City on Saturday, then all three academy teams playing Chicago FC United on Sunday.
