All three MNUFC Academy teams opened their 2025/26 seasons this weekend, taking on both Sockers FC and Lou Fusz Athletic at the National Sports Center in Blaine. Each of these matches were part of the MLS NEXT Flex schedule, pitting the boys against non-MLS academies and up an age group. The jump up made this first weekend a perfect lesson in the physicality, intensity, and standard they should expect to see from more experienced opposition as the season goes on. Check out the SOTL episode with Head of Player Development and Pathways Amos Magee to learn more about the season, why each team plays in the division they do, and more.
U19
MNUFC 0 - 4 Sockers FC
MNUFC 4 - 2 Lou Fusz Athletic
Head Coach Alex Morawiecki and the U18s split their results this weekend, turning a tough opening loss into an impressive win in game two. Saturday’s match against Sockers FC was full of learning moments, and despite the 0-4 scoreline, it provided plenty of positives to build on. Midfielder Jabari Kibusu did well in his first game for the club, supporting the attack with a composed, driving presence on the ball. A handful of clear chances simply didn’t fall the Loons’ way, resulting in a harsh scoreline and a good wake-up call for the eldest Academy squad.
Day two went far better, as the boys bounced back exceptionally well against Lou Fusz Athletic. A fast start saw the Loons put the visitors under pressure early on, pinning them in for much of the first half. This relentless approach rewarded them with a 3-0 lead going into halftime, putting them in a comfortable position to take all three points. But the game wasn’t done yet.
Lou Fusz came out of the half motivated to get back into the game, taking advantage of two costly mistakes to get within a single goal of their hosts. The Loons managed to find the back of the net from a corner with just 15 minutes left on the clock, sealing the result and putting a stop to the comeback momentum.
Standout performances from Tim Dennis (two goals) and Issa Saidi saw the U19s find threatening presences in the attack, while the efforts of Brady Schumacher and Brody Schauf set the tone in the middle of the pitch. All things considered, it was a promising start to the new season.
U17
MNUFC 0 - 4 Sockers FC
MNUFC 0 - 3 Lou Fusz Athletic
For the U17s, this weekend was a chance to adjust to a higher level of physicality. Sockers FC came in with a very aggressive, direct game plan, showing Head Coach Jamie Carroll-Rolfe’s side what to expect from the year ahead. Forward Alex Densley and midfielder Collin Barnes both combined well in tight spaces to progress the ball forward and while they didn’t manage to find that breakthrough goal, the foundation for future scoring was clearly visible.
Day two proved similar in many ways, including the final result. Carroll-Rolfe made special note of the team’s commitment, effort, and determination throughout this second match of the weekend, while acknowledging that his side had been punished for mistakes at both ends of the pitch. Densley stood out once again, as did midfielder Alejandro Sanchez.
U16
MNUFC 1 - 4 Sockers FC
MNUFC 3 - 6 Lou Fusz Athletic
The U16s opened the season with another physical, athletic opponent. The opposition got on the board first after a nervy start from the Loons, and, despite a spell of possession from Head Coach Amin Qasim’s side, managed to score two more unanswered goals before the first half ended. Some calculated adjustments from midfielder Nikita Bulychov helped the Loons generate a more threatening presence in the second half, but the surge was too little too late to reverse the result. Coach Qasim was ultimately pleased, noting several areas for improvement as the year goes on.
“Overall, the boys did a very good job of implementing what we had asked them to do,” Qasim said. “We wanted them to move the ball quickly and not get physical with the opponent. There were moments of attention to detail that could have been better, especially in the first half, and that made the game become more transitional. This was definitely a good starting point for the boys, and these are the kind of games we want to play every week to accelerate their individual and collective development.”
In their second match of the weekend, a back-and-forth first half turned into a scoring fest, as the teams traded five goals before the halftime whistle blew. Though they were down 3-2, the Loons were in good spirits, believing they could get back into the game after having dominated the ball for large portions of the first half.
Though they started the second well, a costly mistake made it 4-2 in favor of Lou Fusz, and the Loons simply couldn’t catch up after that. The visitors managed a few more goals after an MNUFC player was sent off, forcing some adjustments and changing the game.
Similar to the day before, there were positives to be taken from this loss. Playing two intense games in the same weekend is always difficult, especially when it’s the first weekend of a new season. With some really good individual and collective moments to build on, all three teams will be looking to this weekend’s fixtures against St. Louis CITY SC as a chance to bounce back quickly and start trending in a positive direction.
