No. 5 MNUFC2 advanced to the 2025 MLS NEXT Pro Playoffs Western Conference Semifinal following a 2-1 come-from-behind road victory over No. 4 Real Monarchs. Behind second-half goals from Alexis Fariña and Momoh Kamara, the Twos delivered a composed and confident performance, extending their postseason run and keeping their championship ambitions firmly in sight.
5’ - The Real Monarchs created the first dangerous scoring chance of the night when defender Tommy Silva sent a cross into the far right side of MNUFC2’s 18-yard box. The cross connected with midfielder Jesus Barea, whose close-range attempt was briefly cleared from the goal line before a rebound shot by Monarchs sailed over the crossbar.
13’ - MNUFC2’s first scoring opportunity began as a through-ball pass from midfielder Momoh Kamara to forward Loïc Mesanvi, who made a run in behind the Monarch’s defense up the right flank. Closer to goal, Mesanvi sent the ball into the penalty area, where midfielder Alexis Fariña’s quick shot was blocked, forcing a corner kick that came up empty.
21’ - Monarchs’ midfielder Aiden Hezarkhani’s off-balance shot from inside the Twos’ 18 curled upward and hit the crossbar, bouncing out of bounds to end the Utah side’s next scoring chance.
24’ (0-1) - The home team took the lead after Barea’s touch-turned-shot from outside the box curled into the far side of the net, beating MNUFC2 goalkeeper Kayne Rizvanovich’s diving-save attempt.
32’ - MNUFC2 created two quick quality scoring opportunities: First, a long ball over the top and into Monarchs’ penalty area landed in the possession of forward Darius Randell, whose quick-turn shot was stopped. Off the rebound a few moments later, Kamarah took a close-range attempt at goal that curled to the far post, hitting the post and deflecting back out to play.
49’ - The Twos started the second half strong with a run on goal. Farina received a ball over the top and drove towards goal from the left side. He beat the defender and sent a ball into the center of Real Monarchs’ 18-yard box, where Randell screamed towards the net, but his shot went wide.
56’-60’ - The match experienced a four-minute pause in action in order for the Zions Bank Stadium grounds crew to disperse sitting water on the MNUFC2 attacking side.
66’ (1-1) - Alexis Fariña equalized the game for the Twos, converting a penalty-kick attempt after MNUFC2 earned the attempt when forward Troy Putt was fouled inside the upper corner of the goalkeeper’s box.
70’ - Monarchs’ midfielder Aiden Hezarkhani was shown a red card and was ejected from the match following his foul and a subsequent kick to the head against MNUFC2 defender Kieran Chandler. The Utah side was forced to play the remainder of the match down a man.
82’ - Farina found open space just atop the 18, where he whipped his shot and forced Monarchs’ keeper Will Mackay to make a diving-punch save.
86’ (2-1) - Kamara scored the go-ahead goal for MNUFC2 in the late moments of the match. Chandler’s cross into the box landed perfectly at the feet of Kamara, who screamed into the box and past the Utah side’s defense, quickly tapping in the shot.
GOALS
0-1 SLC - Jesus Barea - 24’
1-1 MNUFC2 - Alexis Fariña (penalty kick) - 66’
2-1 MNUFC2 - Momoh Kamara (Kieran Chandler) - 86’
DISCIPLINARY SUMMARY
SLC - Luca Moisa (caution) - 31’
SLC - Juan Gio Villa (caution) - 52’
MNUFC2 - Momoh Kamara (caution) - 61’
MNUFC2 - Britton Fischer (caution) - 63’
SLC - Aiden Hezarkhani (ejection) - 70’
MNUFC2 - Kieran Chandler (caution) - 71’
MNUFC2 - Alexis Fariña (caution) - 72’
NOTABLE STATS
1 – MNUFC2 competed in the team’s first-ever MLS NEXT Pro Playoffs game on Sunday night.
1 – Minnesota United midfielder Alexis Fariña scored MNUFC2’s first-ever playoff goal, a converted penalty-kick attempt.
1 – MNUFC2 earned the club’s first-ever MLS NEXT Pro Playoffs victory with a 2-1 result over Real Monarchs.
TEAM LEADERS (All Competitions; Updated through Oct. 19, 2025)
Goals – Luke Hille, Logan Dorsey (10)
Assists – Curt Calov, Kieran Chandler (7)
Saves – Kayne Rizvanovich (46)
Wins – Kayne Rizvanovich (8)
Shutouts – Kayne Rizvanovich, Kai Zeruhn (2)
LINEUPS
MNUFC2 XI: GK Kayne Rizvanovich; D Britton Fischer, Kisa Kiingi, Alpha Kabia ©; M Kieran Chandler, Alexis Fariña (Kage Romanshyn Jr. 88’), Roman Torres, Loïc Mesanvi, Momoh Kamara; F Logan Dorsey (Troy Putt 40’), Darius Randell (Muba Nour 83’)
Substitutes Not Used: GK Kai Zeruhn; D Justin Sosnouski, Anderson Farris; M Babacar Niang
Real Monarchs XI: GK Will Mackay; D Tommy Silva (Brayan Sandoval 88’), Maximus Jennings (Kobi Joseph Henry 88’), Giovanni Calderon, Ruben Mesalles; M Luca Moisa (Omar Marquez 73’), Jesus Barea (Lineker Rodrigues Dos Santos 46’), Aiden Hezarkhani, Juan Gio Villa; F Marcos Zambrano (Owen Anderson 80’)
Substitutes Not Used: GK Robert Alphin; D Wesley Charpie; M Izahi Amparo, Liam O’Gara
