Minnesota United’s Development Academy kicked off their spring season this past weekend with a pair of matches on Saturday and Sunday for each of the Academy’s three age groups: U15, U14 and U16. The teams hosted Sockers FC and FC United SC from Chicago, Ill., at the National Sports Center in Blaine.
Saturday
MNUFC U15 vs. Sockers
Despite throwing everything they had at the goals, neither the home side nor the visiting Sockers could find enough daylight to sneak one past the posts and into the twine in this one. 80 minutes after the referee’s first whistle, the game was blown dead and the two teams had to satisfy themselves with a draw with Minnesota setting their sights on Sunday’s tilt against FC United.
MNUFC U14 vs. FC United
Although the U14s found more success in front of goal, it still wasn’t enough to overcome an FC United side intent on bringing home the win. FC United got on the scoresheet early with Cole Mrowka earning his brace after scoring back-to-back goals in the 11th and 15th minutes. Minnesota’s own Dominick Vargas finally answered in the 59th minute, but it was too little too late as the U14s fell 2-1.
MNUFC U13 vs. FC United
The U13s also found themselves on the wrong side of a 2-1 result following their game against FC United. In their game, though, it was the home side who struck first, with Emerson Castillo making the most of an opportunity in the 41st minute to put the Loons ahead 1-0. But FC United would answer with a pair of goals in the 46th and 63rd minutes from Charlie Heuer and Chris Domian Jr, respectively, to give the visitors a 2-1 victory.
Sunday
MNUFC U15 vs. FC United
Sunday’s game against FC United was another slugfest for the U15s with Ante Uremovic finally breaking through for the visitors with a goal nearly at the death in the 77th minute. From there, FC United successfully killed off the game, handing the U15s a defeat, 1-0.
MNUFC U14 vs. Sockers
Although the Loons would jump in the lead first on a goal by Merrick Schaefer in the 40th minute, it was the Sockers who would ultimately win the day, racking up three goals in the game’s second half to finish with a 3-1 victory.
MNUFC U13 vs. Sockers
The U13s would eventually come up big for the Development Academy in the weekend’s final game, defeating the visiting Sockers 1-0 on the strength of an early goal by Victor Espinoza. Espinoza got on the board in the 13th minute and then the Lil’ Loons held the line for the rest of the game.
The U13s are back in action next week again at the National Sports Center as they prepare to face Internationals from Royalton, Ohio, on Sunday, March 24. Internationals’ other age groups will face the U14s on that same day and the U15s the day before. The U14s will play visiting Crew SC Academy on Saturday while the U15s will face their counterparts at Crew SC Academy on Sunday. For the complete Academy schedule click here.
