MNUFC2 fell 2-1 to Vancouver Whitecaps FC 2 on Sunday evening at BC Place, despite a second-half goal from Mamadou Dieng that brought the visitors within one. Vancouver took control of the match with two penalty-kick goals from Liam Mackenzie, while Minnesota pushed for an equalizer late but was unable to find the breakthrough. The Twos will now turn their attention to their next road matchup on Sunday, March 22, when they travel to face Sporting Kansas City II at Victory Field with kickoff set for 7:00 p.m. CT.
6’ - MNUFC2 created their first dangerous opportunity after First Team midfielder Dominik Fitz played a through ball to fellow MNUFC forward Mamadou Dieng near the top of the 18-yard line. Dieng then played a short square pass to Loons forward Marcus Caldeira, who made a one-touch attempt to curl the ball toward the bottom-left corner, but the shot went just wide of the post.
22’ (0-1) - The Whitecaps were awarded a penalty kick. Liam Mackenzie stepped up to take the attempt and placed the shot into the bottom-right corner. Despite MNUFC Academy goalkeeper Kai Zeruhn guessing the right side, the attempt found the back of the net.
28’ - Vancouver was awarded a free kick a few yards outside the 18-yard box. Mackenzie stepped up to take the kick, but the attempt went over the goal.
37’ – Twos midfielder Jakob Friedman carried the ball closer to the penalty area, where he then sent in a cross for Caldeira. Caldeira headed the ball, but the attempt went wide of the left post.
45’ + 1’ (0-2) - Mackenzie doubled the hosts’ lead after converting a second penalty kick. The attempt was placed into the top-left corner.
46’ - Daniel Ittycheria intercepted a pass from Kai Zeruhn a few yards outside the 18-yard box. Ittycheria carried the ball into the penalty area, but his attempt went wide of the left post.
49’ (1-2) - Off a counterattack, Dominik Fitz sent a long through ball down the right flank for Mamadou Dieng. Dieng carried the ball into the 18-yard box and shot toward the bottom-right corner as he found himself one-on-one with goalkeeper Adrian Zendejas, opening the scoring for MNUFC2.
51’ - Dieng had another dangerous opportunity when Jakob Friedman, sitting on the 18-yard line, played a short pass back to First Team defender Kieran Chandler. Chandler then sent a long cross into the penalty area that connected with Dieng, who headed the attempt, but Zendejas was able to collect the ball.
74’ - Zeruhn had another crucial save of the night after Anyole Peter carried the ball from the middle third to the top of the 18-yard line. He took a few touches before firing a shot, but Zeruhn was forced to dive left to collect the ball.
81’ - The Twos continued to be a threat through Dieng, as he took a one-touch attempt inside the six-yard box, but Prince Amponsah was able to make a block and send it out for a corner kick.
GOALS
0-1 VAN - Liam Mackenzie (penalty kick) - 21’
0-2 VAN - Liam Mackenzie (penalty kick) - 45’ + 1’
1-2 MIN - Mamadou Dieng (Dominik Fitz) - 49’
DISCIPLINARY SUMMARY
VAN - Prince Amponsah (caution) - 12’
MIN - Luciano Pechota (caution) - 42’
MIN - Alpha Kabia (caution) - 45’
MIN - Kieran Chandler (caution) - 82’
NOTABLE STATS
1 –Defender Nick Dang made his MNUFC2 and professional soccer debut when he started in tonight’s match.
TEAM LEADERS (Updated through March 15, 2026)
Goals – Marcus Caldeira (3)
Assists – Momoh Kamara (2)
Saves – Kai Zeruhn (5)
Wins – Kai Zeruhn (1)
Shutouts – None (0)
*
LINEUPS*
MNUFC2 XI: GK Kai Zeruhn; D Kieran Chandler, Nick Dang (Kenyel Michel 73’), Alpha Kabia, Sam Vigilante; M Jakob Friedman, Dominik Fitz ©, Luciano Pechota, Troy Putt (Anderson Farris 73’); F Marcus Caldeira (Darius Randell 73’), Mamadou Dieng
Substitutes Not Used: GK Keane Perkins; M Cal Grulke; F Issa Saidi
Whitecaps FC 2 XI: GK Adrian Zendejas ©; D Micaah Garnette, Prince Amponsah, Trevor Wright, Immanuel Mathe; M Yeider Zuluaga (Carson Rassak 84’), Cristiano Bruletti, Ryder Sewell (Tyler Brown 90’) , Liam Mackenzie, Sahil Deo (Anyole Peter 65’); F Daniel Ittycheria (Marko Popovic 65’)
Substitutes Not Used: GK Sam Rogers
