MNUFC2 battled back from a second-half deficit on Sunday night to earn two points with a dramatic 2-2 draw and penalty shootout victory over Tacoma Defiance at the National Sports Center Stadium. Making his MLS NEXT Pro debut, MNUFC Academy U15/U16 forward Jose Orta Ruiz scored a late equalizer in the 88th minute to become the youngest player to both debut and score in MNUFC2 history, forcing the match into a shootout where Minnesota claimed the extra point. MNUFC2 now returns to action on Sunday, July 5, when they travel to face Houston Dynamo 2 at SaberCats Stadium, with kickoff scheduled for 6:00 p.m. CT.
1’ - In the opening minute, MNUFC Academy goalkeeper Keane Perkins came up with a crucial stop to keep the match scoreless after Tacoma Defiance midfielder Mark Bronnik broke through Minnesota's back line. Bronnik found himself one-on-one with Perkins, who quickly came off his line and made a strong body save to deny the early scoring opportunity.
6’ - Troy Putt collected possession in the middle of the field before quickly turning and finding MNUFC Academy forward Hector Cruz on the left flank. Putt played a through ball toward Cruz near the top of the penalty area, where Cruz took a touch and fired a shot that forced Tacoma goalkeeper Mohammed Shour to make a diving save, pushing the ball out of danger before the Defiance defense cleared the rebound.
9’ - The Seattle side yet again had an early scoring opportunity stopped by Perkins. Rafael Jauregui gained quick possession inside the box and attempted to flick the ball past Perkins with his back heel, but Perkins made the save
31’ (1-0) - MNUFC2 earned a free kick just outside the penalty area, with Jakob Friedman stepping up to take the set piece. Friedman's initial strike rattled off the left post, but the rebound fell to Troy in the middle of the box. Troy controlled the ball with his chest before finishing with a half-scissor volley to give The Twos a 1-0 lead.
39’ (1-1) - Tacoma Defiance found the equalizer through Mark Bronnik after Charlie Gaffney delivered a looping cross from the left flank into the penalty area. Bronnik met the service and redirected it into the back of the net with a header to level the match.
43’ - Perkins recorded another key save just before halftime. Tacoma midfielder Edson Carli connected on a one-touch effort inside the penalty area, but Perkins stayed alert and made the stop to preserve the deadlock heading into the break.
64’ (1-2) - The Seattle side won a penalty kick after Leonardo Flores Gonzalez was fouled inside the 18-yard box. Carli stepped up to take the kick and placed it low down the center to double the lead.
77’ - The visiting team continued to be a threat this time through Mitchell Emert made a long cross into the MNUFC2 penalty area where Gonzalez settled and took an attempt that went just right of the post.\\
88’ (2-2) - Debutant Jose Orta Ruiz leveled the match in the closing minutes after Andy Farris delivered a long ball into the top of the six-yard box. Ruiz met the service with a well-timed redirection, guiding the ball into the back of the net to equalize for MNUFC2.
GOALS
1-0 MNUFC2 - Troy Putt - 31’
1-1 TAC - Mark Bronnik (Charlie Gaffney) - 39’
1-2 TAC - Edson Carli (penalty kick) - 65’
2-2 MNUFC2 - Jose Orta Ruiz (Andy Farris) - 88’
SHOOTOUT SUMMARY
MIN
Luke Hille - Goal
Troy Putt - Goal
Andy Farris - Goal
Luciano Pechota - Goal
TAC
Mark Cian O'Neill - Saved
Brayden Smith - Goal
Leonardo Flores Gonzalez - Saved
DISCIPLINARY SUMMARY
TAC - Mitchell Emert (caution) - 45’ +2’
MNUFC2 - Jabari Kibisu (caution) - 80’
TEAM LEADERS (Updated through June 28, 2026)
Goals – Marcus Caldeira (10)
Assists – Darius Randell (5)
Saves – Kristers Bite (28)
Wins – Kristers Bite, Keane Perkins (3)
Shutouts – Kristers Bite, Keane Perkins (2)
NOTABLE STATS
1 – MNUFC Academy U15/U16 player Jose Orta Ruiz made his MLS NEXT Pro and MNUFC2 debut in tonight’s match against Tacoma Defiance, entering in the 83rd minute and becoming the youngest player to debut for MNUFC2 at 14 years, 11 months and 17 days old.
1 – MNUFC Academy U15/U16 player Jose Orta Ruiz scored five minutes into his debut, becoming the youngest player to score in MNUFC2 history.
1 – MNUFC Academy U18 defender Sully Maynes made his first MLS NEXT Pro and MNUFC2 starts tonight against LAFC2.
1 – MNUFC Academy U18 defender Brody Schauf made his MLS NEXT Pro and MNUFC2 debut in tonight’s match against Tacoma Defiance.
LINEUPS
MNUFC2 XI: GK Keane Perkins; D Jadan Bernard, Andy Farris, Sullivan Maynes (Brody Schauf 27’), Mo Bojang; M Hector Cruz (Luke Hille 75’), Luciano Pechota ©, Jabari Kibisu (Jose Orta Ruiz 82’), Maxwell Harwood, Jakob Friedman (Tim Dennis 83’); F Troy Putt
Substitutes Not Used: GK Kai Zeruhn
Tacoma Defiance XI: GK Mohammed Shour; D Codey Phoenix, Gallatin Sandnes, Jasper Winslow, Mitchell Emert; M Rafael Angel Jauregui (Leonardo Flores Gonzalez 62’), Edson Carli (Brayden Smith 85’), Xavi MIlad Gnaulati (Daniel Robles 62’), Mark Cian O'Neill ©, Charlie Gaffney (Omar Hassan 71’); F Mark Bronnik (Landon Lucero 85’)
Substitutes Not Used: GK Jackson Dale; D Andrew Brown
