MNUFC2 broke through late with a pair of goals from Darius Randell to earn a 2-0 victory over Colorado Rapids 2. After creating consistent pressure throughout the match, Randell opened the scoring in the 72nd minute before completing his brace six minutes later to secure all three points for the Twos. MNUFC2 returns home for its next MLS NEXT Pro match, hosting Vancouver Whitecaps FC 2 on Saturday, September 12 at 7:00 p.m. CT.
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23’ -* MNUFC2 created the first dangerous scoring chance off a set piece taken by Julian Gressel in the middle of the pitch. The ball was lofted into the penalty area, where Mamadou Dieng took possession and fired a shot aimed at the left side of the goal. Colorado Rapids 2 goalkeeper Zack Campagnolo dove to his left to deflect the ball away and make the save.
33’ - The Twos continued to sustain a great amount of pressure as Gressel delivered another long ball toward the left side of the pitch. Darius Randell received the pass in the box, took two touches and fired a shot that was deflected by Rapids 2 defender Grant Golmore, changing possession.
37’ - Samuel Vigilante capitalized on a Rapids 2 turnover and carried the ball toward goal before sending a pass to his left for Randell. Randell entered the left side of the box and took a shot, but it was deflected by a defender and out for a corner kick.
38’ - Jordan Adebayo-Smith found Vigilante on a run down the right sideline, who quickly drove toward the right side of the box before sending a pass to a sprinting Mamadou Dieng in the middle. Dieng one-touched the ball and took a shot aimed at the right post, but Campagnolo made another tremendous diving save with his right arm.
41’ - Colorado Rapids 2 created its first dangerous scoring opportunity of the match on a counterattack. Josh Copeland got around a Twos defender and dribbled the ball into the box, where he sent a pass back to Nathan Tchoumba, but Vigilante tracked back and defended the shot, allowing MNUFC2 goalkeeper Keane Perkins to collect the ball and end the play.
47’ - The Twos immediately applied pressure to start the second half as Randell capitalized on a Rapids 2 defensive turnover inside their own box that began with pressure from Dieng. The pass was intended for Campagnolo, but Dieng and Randell found themselves on the goal line with a tap-in opportunity; both teammates attempted the shot, and the ball was deflected back into play. Dieng then took a shot that was deflected over the net and out for a goal kick.
60’ - Gressel took a set piece located between the left sideline and the box, ultimately sending the ball toward the near post and going for goal. The ball was deflected out for a corner kick.
69’ - Hector Cruz and Luke Hille immediately generated offensive pressure as Hille found Cruz inside the box, who lobbed the ball over to Gressel at the back post. Gressel took a one-touch shot, but Campagnolo made another save.
72’ (1-0) - Randell opened the scoring for the Twos after Gressel took a set piece directed toward Dieng. Dieng headed the service down to Randell’s right foot, and Randell quickly fired the ball toward the near post, beating Campagnolo’s outstretched left leg.
78’ (2-0) - Randell recorded a brace and extended the Twos’ lead after receiving a pass from Luke Hille from just outside the left edge of the box. The ball found Randell on the right side of the box, where he controlled it onto his right foot and found the back of the net near the right post, beating a diving Campagnolo.
GOALS
1-0 MNUFC2 - Darius Randell (Mamadou Dieng)- 72’
2-0 MNUFC2 - Darius Randell (Luke Hille) - 78’
DISCIPLINARY SUMMARY
MNUFC2 - Jack Clarkson (caution) - 16’
COL2 - Luis Garcia (caution) - 56’
COL2 - Grant Gilmore (caution)- 73’
TEAM LEADERS (Updated through September 5, 2026)
Goals – Marcus Caldeira (10)
Assists – Darius Randell (5)
Saves – Kristers Bite (36)
Wins – Keane Perkins (4)
Shutouts – Keane Perkins (3)
NOTABLE STATS
4 - After recording tonight’s first goal, MNUFC2 has now scored first in five consecutive matches.
5 - With the clean sheet victory, MNUFC2 earned its sixth shutout of the season.
1 - Kluiverth Aguilar made his MNUFC2 and MLS NEXT Pro debut.
LINEUPS
MNUFC2 XI: GK Keane Perkins; D Dj Taylor ©, Andy Farris (Kluiverth Aguilar 86’), Jack Clarkson; M Julian Gressel, Jakob Friedman (Hector Cruz 65’), Alpha Kabia (Maxwell Harwood 79’), Darius Randell, Samuel Vigilante (Philip Tarnue 65’); F Mamadou Dieng, Jordan Adebayo-Smith (Luke Hille 65’)
Substitutes Not Used: GK Kristers Bite; M Kage Romanshyn, Issa Saidi, Luciano Pechota
Colorado Rapids 2 XI: GK Zack Campagnolo; D Charlie Harper, Grant Gilmore, Jordan Camacho (Jackson Pomeroy 84’), Johnny De La Fuente ©; M Luis Garcia (Chris Aquino 84’), Sebastian Siegler (Kellen Lowery 84’); F Josh Copeland (Kimani Stewart-Baynes 77’), Rogelio Garcia (Hamodin Altayeb 63’), Sydney Wathuta, Nathan Tchoumba
Substitutes Not Used: GK Parker Henry; D Kai Thomas, Kamal Sawadogo; M Niccolo Del Carmen Gilmer
