MNUFC21 rallied from an early deficit to earn a 2-1 comeback victory over Colorado Rapids 2 on Sunday night at the University of Denver Soccer Stadium, powered by a second-half brace from Marcus Caldeira after the host went down to 10 men. With the road win, the Twos return home for their 2026 home opener on Sunday, April 26, when they host North Texas SC at Allianz Field at 3:00 p.m. CT.
9’ - MNUFC2 earned a free kick a few meters outside the 18-yard box. Luciano Pechota took the kick, but the attempt went wide of the left post.
15’ - The Twos continued to be a threat this time through Marcus Caldeira after winning possession at the top of the 18-yard box and turned quickly to fire an effort that rolled just past the left post.
26’ - Rapids 2 created their first dangerous opportunity in the 26th minute after Jabari DeCoteau sent a cross into the penalty area from the right flank. Alex Harris got on the end of it and headed the attempt just wide of the left post.
36’ - Caldeira took a free kick a few meters outside the penalty area. The attempt deflected off Kimani Stewart-Baynes and went over the crossbar, resulting in a corner kick for MNUFC2.
41’ (0-1) - Rapids 2 opened the score after Nathan Tchoumba slipped a short through ball pass to Josh Copeland. Copeland then carried the ball to the edge of the area and fired a right-footed shot into the back of the net.
50’ - Colorado midfielder Alex Harris committed a dangerous tackle and was shown a straight red card, leaving the Rocky Mountain side to play down a man the rest of the match.
58’- Off the bench, Jabari Kibisu quickly became a threat after taking a few touches outside the penalty area before unleashing a right-footed effort, but goalkeeper Zack Campagnolo made the save and tipped it over the crossbar.
76’ (1-1) - MNUFC2 tied the match through Caldeira after Philip Tarnue delivered a long cross from the right side that he finished into the back of the net.
78’ (2-1) - Shortly after, Tarnue sent a cross into the penalty area that was cleared by a Colorado defender, but Pechota collected the loose ball and fired an attempt that Caldeira redirected into the back of the net.
87’ - Goalkeeper Kristers Bite made a crucial save to preserve Minnesota's lead after Rogelio Garcia received a cross and slid in for an attempt, but Bite came off his line and made the stop with his feet.
GOALS
0-1 COL2 - Josh Copeland (Nathan Choumba) - 41’
1-1 MNUFC2 - Marcus Caldeira (Philip Tarnue) - 76’
2-1 MNUFC2 - Marcus Caldeira (Luciano Pechota) - 78’
DISCIPLINARY SUMMARY
COL2 - Grant Gilmore (caution) - 34’
MNUFC2 - Luciano Pechota (caution) - 39’
COL2 - Alex Harris (ejection) - 50’
COL2 - Kimani Stewart-Baynes (caution) - 70’
MNUFC2 - Andy Farris (caution) - 88’
COL2 - Sydney Wathuta (caution) - 90’
COL2 - James Cameron (caution) - 90’ + 7’
NOTABLE STATS
1 – MNUFC Academy defender Mo Bojang and fellow Academy midfielder Hector Cruz each made their professional debuts and MNUFC2 debuts in tonight’s match against Rapids 2.
2 – First Team forward Marcus Caldeira bagged a brace and therefore notched his second multi-goal game of the 2026 MLS NEXT Pro season.
TEAM LEADERS (Updated through April 19, 2026)
Goals – Marcus Caldeira (5)
Assists – Momoh Kamara (2)
Saves – Kai Zeruhn (5)
Wins – Kai Zeruhn, Keane Perkins, Kristers Bite (1)
Shutouts – Keane Perkins (1)
LINEUPS
MNUFC2 XI: GK Kristers Bite; D Samuel Vigilante, Nicholas Dang, Philip Tarnue, Andy Farris, Lennox Moua (Mo Bojang 74’); M Maxwell Harwood (Cal Gruke 74’, Hector Cruz 88’), Jakob Friedman (Jabari Kibisu 55’), Luciano Pechota; F Darius Randall (Issa Saidi 74’), Marcus Caldeira ©
Substitutes Not Used: GK Keane Perkins; D Jadan Bernard; M Hector Cruz; F Tim Dennis
Colorado Rapids 2 XI: GK Zack Campagnolo; D James Cameron, Kai Thomas, Grant Gilmore (Rogelio Garcia 86’), Jabari DeCoteau (Charlie Harper 86’); M Kimani Stewart-Baynes, Ali Fadal ©, Nathan Tchoumba (Sydney Wathuta 63’), Alex Harris; F Bryce Jamison (Landon Strohmeyer 76’), Josh Copeland
Substitutes Not Used: GK Kendall Starks; D Jackson Pomeroy; M Chris Aquino, Noah Strellnauer
