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MNUFC2 on Thursday night snapped a six-game losing streak, playing to a thrilling 2(3)-2(2) draw against Austin FC II, with the Minnesota side walking away with two points after winning the penalty kick.
At the beginning of the match, in the eighth and ninth minutes, MNUFC2 found two double chances on goal. Twos captain Kage Romanshyn Jr. sent a long ball upfield, finding Loïc Mesanvi on the left wing. Mesanvi crossed a driven ball across goal, but teammate Darius Randall was unable to get a touch before it ricocheted off an Austin FC II player and out of bounds. Twos’ second chance came from Romanshyn Jr.’s second serve. corner into the box, where Aidan Martinez, inside the six-yard box, fired a close-range shot that went high over the crossbar.
Austin FC II took the lead in the 16th minute after putting the duo under pressure. The goal came after a mistake by Austin forward Bryant Farkarlun trying to pick off a pass while running toward the goal. MNUFC2 midfielder Moses Nyeman raced it towards goalkeeper Francesco Montali, who tried to clear it quickly, but the clearance hit Austin’s Bryant Farkarlun in the back and the ball bounced into the net.
Montali then made a crucial diving save in the 22nd minute after Farkarlun, on the counter-attack, found himself open on the left flank. He was able to put the ball through the goal, but Montali kicked the ball wide and away, keeping the opposing team within one goal.
Just before half-time, in the 42nd minute, the duo’s next chance came from a build-up and a one-two sequence in their own half that found Mesanvi inside the box, where he passed it to Romanshyn Jr. 18 yard line. Romanshyn Jr. then released it to Randell on the right, where he was able to shoot from inside the 18-yard box, but it hit the far post.
A minute into the second half, Austin FC II found their second goal of the game as Bobosi Byaruhanga broke away and fired a long-range shot past Montali, who was well off his line.
But the pair continued to battle and Mesanvi had an opportunity to score their first goal of the match with a chipped shot that went over the bar. It came after a brilliant lift ball from Montali on the left flank where Mesanvi was making a long run.
The scoring moment finally arrived when MNUFC2 were awarded a penalty after Jordan Adebayo-Smith was brought down inside the box by Austin defender Antonio Gomez. Midfielder Rory O’Driscoll was the one to rise and slot past goalkeeper Marcus Alstrup to reduce Austin’s lead to one goal with less than ten minutes remaining in the match.
With little confidence from the first goal, the pair scored their second and game-tying goal in the 90th minute after Julian Banks’ right-wing cross for Mesanvi was headed home by Austin . Defender Chieck Toure goes past his goalkeeper.
The game stayed well past regulation time, leading the game to a shootout from the penalty area, which ended in MNUFC2’s favour, capturing two points on the night.
goals
0-1 ATXII – Bryant Farkarlun (16′)
0-2 ATXII – Bobosi Byaruhanga, assisted by Micah Burton (46′)
1-2 MNUFC2 – Rory O’Driscoll, PK (82′)
2-2 MNUFC2 – Cheick Toure, own goal (90′)
SUMMARY OF DISHES
MNUFC2
Britton Fischer – saved
Finn McRobb – Saved
Julian Banks – Goal
Rory O’Driscoll – Goal
Enrique Nieves – Goal
ATX II
Alonso Ramirez – Miss
Cheick Toure – Miss
Rubén Bonachera – Save
Micah Burton – Goal
Antonio Gomez – Goal
DISCIPLINARY SUMMARY
Attention, ATXII – Bryant Farkarlun (5′)
Beware, ATXII – Micah Burton (45′)
Attention, MNUFC2 – Kage Romanshyn Jr. (53′)
Attention, MNUFC2 – Britton Fischer (72′)
REMARKABLE STATISTICS
1 – Enrique Nieves made his MLS NEXT Pro and MNUFC2 debut against Austin FC II at the National Sports Stadium on Thursday, July 18. He also scored the penalty kick that secured the extra point on the field goal.
1 – MNUFC2 played in its first tie of the MLS NEXT Pro 2024 regular season, earning two points after winning the penalty kick
TEAM LEADERS (Updated to July 18)
Goals – Patrick Weah (8)
Assists – Molik Jesse Khan (3)
Saves – Alec Smir (19)
Wins – Alec Smir (2)
Shutouts – Clint Irwin (1)
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