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MLS NEXT Pro Minnesota United FC 2

MNUFC2 Falls at North Texas SC 4-0

June 27, 2022 - MLS NEXT Pro (MLS NEXT Pro)
Minnesota United FC 2 News Release


ARLINGTON, Texas -- It was a tale of two halves for MNUFC2 as they faced off against Western Conference foes North Texas SC on Sunday night. A tightly contested first half was contrasted by a challenging second half for the Loons, with the final result ending in a 4-0 defeat on the road.

The first 45 minutes of the match proved to be difficult for both sides when it came to scoring off of chances. Shots were plentiful, as the Loons and North Texas were nearly even on shots, where North Texas edged the Loons 10 to nine (three to two in shots on target). MNUFC2 forward David Garcia saw his 11th-minute strike miss just wide right of the goal, a first promising chance for Minnesota. Later in the half, North Texas saw its first scoring chance come in the 29th minute, finding the back of the net, but offsides was called and the goal negated. A minute later, Loons goalkeeper Fred Emmings made a key save to keep the score even. Minnesota's Aziel (AZ) Jackson gave MNUFC2 their first strong scoring opportunities, striking a shot that was saved, then striking the rebound to no avail in the 35th minute.

At 39 minutes of play, North Texas finally broke down the Loons' defensive stronghold when forward Jose Mulato's shot found the back of the net, giving the Texans the 1-0 advantage just before halftime.

Before the second half began, a weather delay was put in place as lightning was detected in the area around Arlington, lasting nearly an hour. Following the extended halftime break, the Loons defense stepped up again, quashing a scoring attempt from North Texas in the 50th minute on the goal line. MNUFC2 midfielder Emmanuel Iwe connected with Jackson in the 53rd, but the opportunity ended in the box without a shot. North Texas answered that chance in the 55th minute when midfielder Bernard Kamungo found the back of the net, doubling North Texas' lead to 2-0. Texas struck again four minutes later when a corner resulted in a scramble in the box with the ball crossing the goal line giving the Texas side a 3-0 lead. The final goal of the match came in the 81st minute when North Texas' Collin Smith found the back of the net.

With the loss, MNUFC2 moves to the seventh spot in the MLS Next Pro Western Conference standings (5-4-3, 21 points).

MNUFC2 returns home, hosting Whitecaps FC 2 on Saturday, July 2 at the National Sports Center Stadium in Blaine, Minnesota. Kick is set for 7:00 p.m. CT, and tickets for the match are still available and can be purchased here. The contest will also be streamed live at www.mlsnextpro.com.

GOALS

1-0 North Texas SC - Jose Mulato (39')

2-0 North Texas SC - Bernard Kamungo (55')

3-0 North Texas SC - Luis Cardoso (59')

4-0 North Texas SC - Collin Smith (81')

DISCIPLINARY SUMMARY

Yellow, NTX - Alejandro Araneda (44')

NOTABLE STATS

5 - Loons midfielder Veljko Petkovic had five tackles on the night, leading MNUFC2

8 - Petkovic also won eight duels against North Texas, leading both teams

46 - The Loons won 46 duels compared to Texas' 40

6 - MNUFC2 goalkeeper Fred Emmings made six saves on the night

TEAM LEADERS (Updated through June 26)

Goals - Aziel Jackson (5)

Assists - Aziel Jackson & Diogo Pacheco (2)

Saves - Fred Emmings (33)

Wins - Fred Emmings (3)

Shutouts - Eric Dick (2)

MLS NEXT PRO STANDINGS, WESTERN CONFERENCE (Through June 26)

(W,L,D, points) SOW*

1. North Texas SX (9-2-2, 30 points) 1

2. St. Louis CITY 2 (9-2-2, 30 points) 1

3. Tacoma Defiance (7-3-4, 28 points) 3

4. Houston Dynamo 2 (8-4-1, 25 points) 0

5. Whitecaps FC 2 (6-3-5, 25 points) 2

6. Earthquakes II (6-5-2, 21 points) 1

7. MNUFC2 (5-4-3, 21 points) 3

8. Sporting KC 2 (5-6-2, 17 points) 0

9. Colorado Rapids 2 (3-8-2, 12 points) 1

10. Timbers2 (1-9-2, 7 points) 2

11. Real Monarchs (0-11-2, 2 points) 0

*Shoot Out Wins count as two points

MNUFC2 POST GAME QUOTE SHEET

HEAD COACH CAMERON KNOWLES

On his overall thoughts of the match against North Texas SC...

"We started the game very well and created a number of good chances throughout the first 25 minutes or so, but unfortunately couldn't find the back of the net. On the other side they [North Texas SC] were able to put away a chance and we found ourselves chasing the game. After the weather delay we started the half well but again got punished for mistakes. North Texas are a good team, they are well coached, and they have some very dangerous players, but the game was closer than the score line suggests. Overall, while we certainly got punished in moments of the game, there were a lot of positives and we have to take those into the home match against Vancouver [Whitecaps FC 2]."

On what improvements can be made ahead of next week's home game...

"We spoke with the players after the game about how important the details of the game are and how that can often be the difference. We need to focus on being switched on for every play, organizing and communicating with each other, taking our chances and being tough to break down. All things, this group has shown they can do in previous games and we will hopefully bring to the Vancouver game."

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