While the draw for GA was the latest news in the MLS of the week (more to come later), there was a big football played in Blaine this weekend. The three teams of the Academy were in action, welcoming Sporting Kansas City and the Chicago FC United in a total of five games, which all ended with a Loons victory.
MNUFC 1 – 0 Sporting Kansas City
MNUFC 2 – 1 Chicago FC United
Two tight results saw the U18s taking six points from the match slate this weekend. A brilliant start on Saturday helped Alex Morawiecki’s team to create a chance after chance, keeping the ball in the third striker through the solid efforts of Bryan Espadero and Ty Perkins. Although they could not find a goal via the game race, Issa Saidi obtained a penalty in the second half, which was coldly sent by Espadero to win the match. The excellent game of Brady Schumacher gave his team a threatening advantage, unbalanced the opposition with his creativity on the ball during the second home victory of his team against the opposition of MLS this spring.
The humans resumed where they stopped with another good start on Sunday, losing pressure on the Chicago box and reducing some clear chances. Visitors have become the game, forcing the hosts to defend themselves a little, but the efforts of the replacement Donovan Sinicropi changed the game when he arrived in the second half. Associated with the relentless race of Danny Boakai, the Loons had two game changers on the field at the same time, who both ended up scoring and sealing the result. Large combined and high pressure game combined to be too much to manage in Chicago, while the work of the defensive midfielder Ty Perkins prevented visitors from finding a late equalizer.
MNUFC 3 – 1 Sporting Kansas City
MNUFC 3 – 0 Chicago FC United
It was a little more comfortable football weekend for the U16s, starting with a dominant victory over SKC. Patience and perseverance were the waiting words for this 3-1 victory, while Alex Holst bag a splint and Etienne Testa added the third. Holst’s ability to find space in the box has finally led to its goals, while its pressure on the ball forced visitors to set up for its team. The work rate of Brody Schauf and the quality crossing, associated with Max Harwood’s capacity to escape pressure in the middle of the field, allowed the humans to exploit the space largely in what was a complete performance.
The second weekend match started a little slower but resumed in the second half. Holst has again showed his eye for space, and Schauf continued to provide dangerous service in the box. George Porter intensified in the center of the field, recovering and transitioning quickly before finding teammates in advantageous situations. Coach Jamie Carroll-Rolfe was satisfied with the ability of his team to find another equipment to close the match, in particular another weekend with two games in a row.
MNUFC 5 – 0 Chicago FC United
The U15 continued their fantastic spring season with a 5-0 victory, bringing them to second place in the MLS Division of MLS Next Flex. With 15 wins and only three defeats in 18 games, the team of head coach Amin Qasim is only four points from the first place of Columbus Crew.
Next weekend will be light compared to the usual calendar of the Academy, the U18 and the U16s, both facing the championship crew in the National Sports Center. The U15s deserved well to rest and prepare for the rest of the season.