MLS Minnesota United FC

MNUFC Advances to Round Four of US Open Cup

Published on April 20, 2022 under Major League Soccer (MLS)
Minnesota United FC News Release


MADISON, Wis. - The last time Minnesota United played in a Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup match, the very trophy itself had been on the line. The Loons were finalists three years ago, the last time this tournament was held. They were unsuccessful on that day, losing 2-1 to Atlanta United. Today, however, Minnesota would get off to a successful start in the first step of this season's journey with a largely comfortable 2-0 win over USL League One's Forward Madison FC at Breese Stevens Field in Madison.

Minnesota used a rotated squad to start on a cold and rainy Wisconsin evening. Seven of Minnesota's starting eleven had played in MNUFC2's 4-0 win over Colorado Rapids 2 on Sunday, including goalscorers Nabi Kibunguchy and Adrien Hunou. Abu Danladi, who scored in Minnesota's 3-1 win over Colorado on Saturday, completed a hat-trick of games in the week, playing in the MLS matchup, the NEXT Pro game, and the cup fixture.

From the beginning of the game, the Loons looked to manage possession and seek openings through a well-coordinated Flamingo defense. Hunou was the focal point of many of the first half's key moments, looking for through-balls for his teammates to chase and coming the closest of any Loon to scoring with two chances in the 34th and 35th minutes.

In the first of those opportunities, Hunou was in position to volley a lucky deflection towards goal from inside the six-yard box, but Madison goalkeeper Phil Breno got there in time to block Hunou's shot away. On the ensuing corner kick, Hunou got clear for a header, but was unable to direct it on target. His frustration was obvious at the time, but his reward would come after the halftime break.

Despite a 66%-34% lead in possession at the half and an almost complete stifling of any attempts by Madison to push forward (no pun intended), the game remained scoreless at the break, and as Chicago found out on Tuesday evening, a League One team can be full of surprises.

Minnesota came out of halftime on the attack once more, with a 47th minute shot from Bongokuhle Hlongwane going just wide. The Loons would not be deterred, however, and a few short minutes later the deadlock would be broken, and Hunou would find the goal he had been seeking.

The chance Hunou took was remarkably similar to the header he missed in the 35th minute: a corner kick taken from the near side of the field. This time, however, he made no mistake with his placement, and Minnesota took full control of the game. Joseph Rosales' delivery was exactly what was needed, and Minnesota's success on the attacking setpiece was once again what delivered their opening goal, just as Bakaye Dibassy had done on Saturday.

Adrian Heath made no moves to rest on the 1-0 lead as his first three subs featured attacking players. All three of Hassani Dotson, Luis Amarilla and Franco Fragapane featured in the game's final twenty minutes. Heath's other subs handed a first-team debut to Aziel Jackson and a season debut to Chase Gasper.

The Loons continued to control possession, and an insurance goal to seal the game away came in the game's 83rd minute. Brent Kallman, captaining the team on the night and having delivered a confident performance at the heart of Minnesota's defense, rose to meet another Rosales corner and made no mistake. While there was no breakthrough from open play in tonight's match, Minnesota's attacking setpieces took care of business for them.

Madison's Drew Conner was shown a red card just after Kallman's goal, and the game wound down with the Loons up one man and two goals. The defense was rarely threatened, having allowed just three total shots, with none on target, and the team allowed just 34% possession in the game. Minnesota goalkeeper Tyler Miller touched the ball just 15 times on the evening, three of them coming on goal kicks.

With the win, Minnesota moves on to the Fourth Round of the Open Cup Round; the draw to determine their opponent will take place on Thursday at 11:00 a.m. CT.

LINEUPS:

Minnesota United: GK Tyler Miller; D Oniel Fisher, Brent Kallman (c), Nabilai Kibunguchy, DJ Taylor; M Joseph Rosales, Jacori Hayes, Bongokuhle Hlongwane, Adrien Hunou, NIko Hansen; F Abu Danladi

Forward Madison: GK Phil Breno; D Eric Leonard, Mitch Osmond, Cesar Murillo; M Mikey Maldonado, Andrew Wheeler-Omiunu, Christian Enriquez, Rojay Smith; F Audi Jepson, Jeremiah Streng, Matheus Cassini

UP NEXT:

MINNESOTA UNITED FC vs. CHICAGO FIRE FC

Allianz Field | Saint Paul, Minnesota

04.23.2022 | MLS Week No. 8 | MLS Game No. 8

4:00 pm CT (ESPN, SKOR North)

MINNESOTA UNITED QUOTE SHEET

HEAD COACH ADRIAN HEATH

On the changes to the lineup from Saturday's game to tonight and the performance of the group...

"I thought we were excellent all evening. Matt's [Glaeser] got a really good little group here. They're well-organized, they're highly motivated and we knew it was going to be tough. But we set us ourselves up nice and early, we kept playing the ball wide, stretching them as much as we could. I don't Tyler [Miler] had a save to make all evening. Against a highly motivated, well-organized team, I think it was very professional and disciplined performance from our guys, in really difficult conditions."

On Adrien Hunou's goal tonight, alongside the goal he scored on Sunday...

"Yeah, always. Nothing like goals for a striker to get the confidence going. At least for Adrien [Hunou] obviously, I thought he worked really, really hard. I thought Nabi [Kibunguchy] and Brent Kallman were fabulous at times, and most of the team were. As I said, it was a difficult evening. We knew. The TV cameras were here for one reason, they thought there might be an upset, that's what they always do in these Cup games. To come away with a 2-nil victory, which was probably comfortable in the end, I'm really, really pleased."

On if he thought Adrien Hunou looked more comfortable playing as a number 10...

"Well I think he enjoys that more. I think he enjoys drifting around the field, taking them little pockets of space in behind the midfield players and trying to connect and combine. But as I've said to him, you still got to get in the box. At the end of the say, our attacking player are on the field for one thing: you're either scoring a goal or making the goal. The other stuff, the defensive situation, the hard work, is a given. That should be a given. The reason that you pay the money for your front men is to score and make goals, that's what the most expensive people in football."

On how many more goals Adrien could have had with the chances created...

"Could have had? Could have had a couple in the first half. He had a good header and then the one that keeper [Phil Breno] made a really good save, the really close, he'd probably like that back. And then the one that, I think it was Fish [Oniel Fisher] cut back to it, he hit the target but he probably thinks he probably could have done a little bit better with it. But overall, I think it will do his confidence well."

On the team breaking through with two setpiece goals...

"Well the delivery good but more importantly, we attacked the spaces like we had been talking about. Brent Kallman is very good when he doesn't try to reach and fight for the ball, he just sets up and hopes to fight for the ball if it comes in his path, which is what happened with his goal. Then Adrien [Hunou] found that little spot in between."

On who impressed on the night of the players who haven't played many first team minutes...

"I thought Nabi [Kibunguchy]] was terrific. I can't really remember any mistakes from him, certainly not important ones. I thought Joseph [Rosales] used the ball really well in midfield. On the whole, I thought it was a really professional performance from a really good group who were determined to get a result tonight."

On where he sees Nabi Kibunguchy playing permanently given his minutes at defensive-midfield, center-back and full-back...

"Tonight's performance has given us a bit of food for thought there because he's quicker than people think. He's sued to playing at full-back and midfield, he's comfortable on the ball, got a good range of passing so he can play out through the back very well. He has a really good night, I was pleased for him."

On the atmosphere at Breese Stevens Field...

"They've got a great little setup here. It was a good atmosphere within the stadium. I don't think you could really see on the TV but the conditions weren't ideal for the people that were coming to enjoy to watching football. But they did, they came out, they got behind their team and they can be very proud of what they put on this evening. Very professional. They looked after us really well and it bodes well for their future, for sure. This is a club that can grow."

On Aziel Jackson's performance tonight and his success with MNUFC2 so far this season...

"We know that there's talent there with AZ [Aziel Jackson]. What we don't know is he's got the drive and the enthusiasm to bring it every single day. We had a few words a few weeks ago and I think he's responded to that. He's training harder and that's what got him his little opportunity this evening. You work hard at training, you play well in reserve team games, then you put yourself in the manager's thoughts and that's what he's done. But he has to maintain now. Coasting along Monday to Friday and then expect to turn it on at the weekend doesn't work, never has, never will. We're pretty demanding of him and if he listens to that, works really hard, then maybe he has a chance of having a career."

On Chase Gasper's return to the pitch and his immediate yellow card...

"No, and the way the referee was throwing the cards at the end, I was fearing he might get a red as well. Fortunately, he didn't. It was nice to get him involved with the group, nice to get him some minutes again, albeit in difficult circumstances. He certainly enjoyed himself."

On the status of the group that stayed in Minnesota...

"No, the only issue we have at home is Patrick [Weah], which is a long-term one, and Romain [Metanire]. I think Jo [Joseph Rosales] has picked up a little knock tonight, I don't know how serious that will be. We'll have a better idea in the morning. But it looks like everybody has come through unscathed. The group that we left behind worked really hard today and everybody will be in tomorrow."

On the weather conditions...

"It was the Windy Night in Stoke City, that's what everybody talks about. It was about one of them nights. All we missed was Rory Delap. It would have made you feel at home. It was difficult conditions but it's the same for both teams and you get on with it."

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