The MNUFC Development Academy U13 and U14 teams headed down to Frisco, Texas, recently to compete in the Central Conference Boys’ Regional Showcase. The tournament, which ran from Friday, October 20 to Sunday, October 22, gave the teams their first chance to compete at a national level against competition including other MLS Academy teams from Houston, Orlando City and Sporting Kansas City.

MNUFC U13 vs. Houston Dynamo U13
The U13 Loons played their first 50-minute match against the U13s from Houston Dynamo, and Houston opened the scoring early with a goal from Caden Garbade in the third minute. Minnesota responded almost immediately, though, with a goal in the fifth minute from Christian Flores. Houston scooted ahead with a goal by Mateo Ghercioiu in the 12^th, but Minnesota once again drew even within minutes after Abdulsalam Akinola scored in the 15^th. A brace from Houston’s Zacarias Escobar-Bowie was followed quickly by a Minnesota own goal and although Micah Burton would add another in the 40^th minute, the Loons ultimately fell by a score of 5-3.

MNUFC U13 vs. TBU Rowdies U13
The U13s fared better against the TBU Rowdies, opening the scoring early on a goal by Micah Burton in the sixth minute. Jonah Gasho and David Hernandez added goals for the Loons in the 14^th and 26^th minutes, respectively, to complete the 3-0 rout.

MNUFC U13 vs. Sporting Kansas City U13
The final match of the weekend for the U13s was a 70-minute match against Sporting KC and it turned out to be a considerably tighter affair. The only goal was scored by SKC’s Lucas Jeff with less than two minutes remaining, giving SKC a 1-0 victory over the Loons.

MNUFC U14 vs. Orlando City SC U14
Orlando City’s U14s got the scoring started early in this one with Eduardo Barros notching a goal in the first minute of play. The Loons spent the rest of the match on their heels following a brace by Sahyd Nevado-Masso. A last-minute goal by Roger Velandia in the 50^th minute put Orlando City’s 4-0 win on ice.

MNUFC U14 vs. Lonestar SC Academy U14
Minnesota’s U14s fared a bit better against Lonestar SC, ultimately losing but only conceding twice. The first came courtesy of Luke Hanna in the 15^th minute and then Victor Landin-Aviles put Lonestar SC on top for good with another in the 38^th minute.

MNUFC U14 vs. Houston Dynamo U14
Like the U13s, the U14s had a tough time with Houston, conceding a goal in the 20^th minute to Wyatt Green and another in the 38^th minute to Joseph Farouz. In the second half, the Loons went down 3-0 after Reese Miller scored in the 62^nd minute, then got one back in the 70^th minute on a goal by Joseph Highfield. But an own goal and a score in the 79^th minute by Hans Leza put the match completely out of reach and Houston walked away with a 5-1 win.