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MLS NEXT Pro Minnesota United FC 2

MNUFC2 Advances to Second Round of the 2024 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup

March 21, 2024 - MLS NEXT Pro (MLS NEXT Pro)
Minnesota United FC 2 News Release


ELMHURST, Ill. -- MNUFC2 takes home the win in the first round of the 2024 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup after defeating Chicago House A.C. with a 3-0 shutout, where Jordan Adebayo-Smith scored his first MNUFC2 hat trick.

9' - MNUFC2 had a promising first chance on goal when Loons' forward Loïc Mesanvi connected after a series of passes up the pitch, but his shot missed wide of the far post and was called offside.

22' - The Twos goalkeeper Alec Smir saved the first dangerous chance on goal for Chicago House, forward Bukola Abdulwahab crossed the ball wide of the pitch into MNUFC2's penalty area, almost connecting with his teammate AR Smith but was unsuccessful due to Smir interfering.

25' - MNUFC2 continued to aggressively attack Chicago House, which rewarded them with yet another dangerous chance on goal. Mesanvi in the PK box dribbled into Chicago House's defensive players when he lost possession to the Chicago House goalkeeper Tony Halterman.

38'- MNUFC2 forward Darius Randell takes the ball up the left side of the pitch into the attacking third, laying off a shot on goal which was blocked by the Chicago House defense. The deflection of the blocked shot returned the ball back to Randall for a second shot on goal, but Randall's shot went wide of the goal keeping the score 0-0 going into halftime.

52'- Jordan Adebayo-Smith scored the first goal of the match for MNUFC2, slotting a right-footed shot past The House's goalkeeper after connecting with a through ball from Twos midfielder Kage Romanshyn Jr. who beat his defender in the midfield.

55'- Four minutes after the opening goal of the match, a long ball was sent up the right side of the pitch past the Chicago House defense connecting with Loïc Mesanvi inside the 18-yard box. Mesanvi laid it off to Jordan Adebayo-Smith for a shot on goal, scoring his second goal of the game and his first MNUFC2 brace.

90'+5'- Adebayo-Smith scores once again for the Twos after taking space up the pitch, beating the Chicago House back line. Jordan one-on-one with Halterman off his line took one touch around him which allowed him a wide open shot on goal.

GOAL SUMMARY

1-0 MNUFC2 - Jordan Adebayo-Smith, assisted by Kage Romanshyn Jr. (52')

2-0 MNUFC2 - Jordan Adebayo-Smith, assisted by Loïc Mesanvi (54')

3-0 MNUFC2 - Jordan Adebayo-Smith, assisted by Dom Mawing (90'+5')

DISCIPLINARY SUMMARY

MIN - Darius Randell (caution), 7'

CHAC - Cesar Murillo (caution), 7'

CHAC - Ricardo Avalos (caution), 66'

CHAC - F Julian Banks (caution), 86'

NOTABLE STATS

3 - Jordan Adebayo-Smith scores his first MNUFC2 hat trick, and notably the first three goals for MNUFC2 in the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup competition.

MNUFC2 POST GAME QUOTE SHEET

MNUFC2 HEAD COACH JUSTIN FERGUSON

On overall performance of the team and Jordan Adebayo-Smith's hat trick...

"It was a big night for Jordan [Adebayo-Smith]. I believe it was his 100th professional game. He was saying in the locker room as well, so congrats to him. That's big to score a hat trick in that event. It's pretty special for him. It was really nice to be able to give some young guys their debuts as well. Congrats to all those academy guys that got to play their first professional game tonight."

On Jordan Adebayo-Smith's week and scoring four goals in four days...

"Jordan's [Adebayo-Smith] an exciting talent and that's what we want for him, to be able to get the opportunity to score goals and ultimately to get in positions where you can create chances and then finish them. He's probably a little disappointed with what happened in LA [LAFC2 game] because he felt he could have scored a couple more of the chances. Then to come back and respond in the right way, that's exactly what we want any of the players that play in that position to do - get on the end of service and create space in the box and then ultimately finish the chance. Super proud of him and just really excited for what he'll bring to the club.

On what he saw defensively from Chicago House A.C....

"We did really well to control space. We gave a young academy player, Justin Arias, his debut. [He] started. He really controlled the midfield really well. Then Morris Duggan was excellent as well as Britton Fischer. They did a really good job just controlling space and making sure that Chicago House didn't have anything on the counter."

On if the weather conditions in Elmhurst, Illinois were cold and windy as they were in Minnesota...

"It was, it felt like home. The guys were excited to play in that type of condition. Just being from Minnesota, we expect that [and] we prefer it that way."

On what the academy kids have shown and proven to get the opportunity to play in the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup...

"First, we want to be able to play as many competitive games as possible and the more that they can get into cup games where it's win or go home, the more they get to experience what it's like playing at a high level. For any of those guys, what they've done in practice and what they've done over the course of their careers at Minnesota United has shown that they deserve to continue to play by playing well, by playing well in different games and different circumstances, and ultimately by winning those games. For Justin [Arias], for Julian [Banks] and for Nathan [Moua], I've gotten to be around them for years now and I've seen what they can do over time."

On what are the prospects going forward in the tournament...

"Just try to win the next game. As you move forward to the next game, you have to look at who's healthy and who's available. There are a lot of young players that hopefully will get a chance to feature in the game. But it's exciting for the club to just try and make another run in the tournament like we did a couple of years ago."

On Darius Randell and Loïc Mesanvi's performances...

"They're both great 1v1. They're both quick and they're both exciting. I hope that they can get on the ball high on the field and express themselves whether that's getting behind the line to put service in or taking guys on 1v1. They're both really exciting to watch and hopefully they can get themselves in position to score a lot of goals this year."

FORWARD JORDAN ADEBAYO- SMITH

On what was key to score three times...

"I feel that obviously the opportunity to win another trophy. [As] a young group, leading by example. Just doing everything right, [doing] what the coaches want [is what] leads to us getting chances on goal. The hard work from the boys helped create those chances and I just took them."

On how the last four days have been like...

"It's been a lot of traveling. Obviously, I haven't slept in my bed for a while. It's been a good few days with the group, everyone is getting to know each other more. We play more as a team because the connections are building. [It's] better for everyone and hopefully we can take this momentum on to the next game and continue to build as a team".

On your level experience in a Cup environment...

"I feel that learning from previous places I've been [and the] coaches [are] different things that have [given] me success in the past. Using that and implementing it now in Minnesota. Taking every little experience I can get and just keep building as a player and developing".

On scoring more goals in LA...

"I could have gotten a couple more in LA [LAFC2 game]. I feel that goals will come just by focusing on the right moment and making sure the chance comes, at least putting it on target and making sure the keeper works."

On your goals for this season...

"Obviously, get as many games and minutes as possible with the first team but also knowing that I'm going to play with the second team to get minutes as well and help and contribute to the season. It's just a mix of both but obviously pushing to play as much as possible. "

"On your experience coming into two games for the first team...

"It was crazy, the fans, the atmosphere. Everything you can hear, you can feel it. It's just everywhere there's no hiding from it. I enjoyed it, especially the Orlando [City SC] and Columbus [Crew] game. The last minute is just a great feeling to win a game and score at the last minute to contribute to the game."

On your reaction to trading to Minnesota and the change of scenery...

" I was buzzing to obviously sign for the first team spot, so I was buzzing to get started. Obviously I knew it was going to be a new challenge and a new environment but I was ready for it. I'm up for it. It's good to start fresh, I'm excited to see what's going to happen this season."

On if he feels warmer after scoring three goals...

"I'm still freezing. I can't feel my toes right now. It wasn't warm out there so it's good that we're inside now."

On stretching the lines during the game and putting himself in dangerous spots...

"I feel like my main attribute is my speed. So I'm always told to play to your strength and that's something that I will continue to do and continue to learn. I know that will get me a lot of success. So just continue to learn different ways to get behind more and focus on finishing on every chance."

On what awaits ahead for him in the tournament...

"Obviously, sky's the limit but everyone is just excited to get into the next round and anyone that we face, we're going to be ready for it. So it's just a matter of when now."

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