A spectacular game-winning goal by Loïc Mesanvi, a converted penalty by Sam Shashoua and a first professional clean sheet by Kayne Rizvanovich propelled MNUFC2 towards its fourth-straight win in a 2-0 victory over Colorado Rapids 2 on Thursday night. The Twos now return to Minnesota for their Home Opener versus North Texas SC on Friday, May 2.
8’ - MNUFC2 claimed the first dangerous scoring opportunity when first team midfielder Sam Shashoua held possession inside Colorado Rapids 2’s box, making a quick turn to separate from a defender before he fired off a close range shot. Rapids 2 goalkeeper Zak Campagnolo made the diving save to stifle the early chance.
10’ - Just two minutes later, Colorado created their first scoring opportunity. Midfielder Alex Harris made a run and found open space atop MNUFC2’s half-circle, ultimately seeing his strike hit the crossbar and bouncing back into the field of play.
16’ (1-0) - The Twos took the lead and scored first for a fourth-consecutive match when a long-ball service into Rapids 2’s defending third connected with first team defender Anthony Markanich. Markanich made a quick give-and-go touch to fellow first-team forward Loïc Mesanvi. Upon that quick touch, Mesanvi volleyed the ball to himself and sent his behind-the-back and over-the-shoulder shot into the far end of the net.
33’ - Rapids 2 player Colton Swan broke through MNUFC2 defenders deep inside the box and took a tight angled shot that just barely missed past the far post, keeping the lead in favor of the Minnesota side.
35’ - Just two minutes later, the Colorado side again had close range opportunities from both Alex Harris and Ted Ku-Dipietro saved in quick succession by Twos’ goalkeeper Kayne Rizvanovich.
45’+1’ (2-0) - Daouda Amadou ran into Shashoua on the left side of Colorado’s box, and the referee awarded MNUFC2 a penalty kick. Shashoua then converted the penalty to double the Twos’ lead right before half time.
69’ - MNUFC2 forward Logan Dorsey exited the match after an apparent leg injury, replaced by MNUFC Academy forward Issa Saidi.
82’ - Colorado’s Josh Copeland found open space on the right side of MNUFC2’s box and hit a powerful strike towards goal, but Rizvanovich made the save with his chest to keep the home side scoreless.
90’+1’ - Rizvanovich made yet another key one-handed save when he stretched out to stop a closer-range shot by Noah Strellnauer, who broke through the MNUFC2 back line.
GOALS
1-0 MNUFC2 - Loïc Mesanvi (Anthony Markanich) 25’
2-0 MNUFC2 - Sam Shashoua (penalty kick) 45’+1’
DISCIPLINARY SUMMARY
Caution, MNUFC2 - Anthony Markanich (32’)
Caution, COL2 - Kofie Senanou (38’)
Caution, COL2 - Malik Pinto (55’)
Caution, MNUFC2 - Britton Fischer (58’)
Caution, MNUFC2 - Babacar Niang (89’)
NOTABLE STATS
4 - Loïc Mesanvi’s 16th-minute goal was the first goal of the night on Thursday, and with it, MNUFC2 has now scored first in each of their first four games to start its 2025 MLS NEXT Pro campaign.
1 - Goalkeeper Kayne Rizvanovich made his MNUFC2 and MLS NEXT Pro debut appearance in tonight’s match at Colorado Rapids 2. In addition to his debut, Rizvanovich earned his first professional clean sheet, making five saves en route to the victory.
4 - MNUFC2 won its fourth straight game on Thursday night, and currently hold the best road record in MLS NEXT Pro (4-0-0, W-L-D).
TEAM LEADERS (Updated through April 24, 2025)
Goals – Logan Dorsey (3)
Assists – Kieran Chandler (3)
Saves – Wessel Speel (10)
Wins – Wessel Speel (3)
Shutouts – Wessel Speel, Kayne Rizvanovich (1)
LINEUPS
MNUFC2 XI: GK Kayne Rizvanovich; D Devin Padelford, Morris Duggan (Logan Dorsey 46’, Issa Saidi 69’), Britton Fischer; M Anthony Markanich (Kieran Chandler 63’), Curt Calov, Sam Shashoua (Babacar Niang 63’), Hoyeon Jung, DJ Taylor ©; F Loïc Mesanvi, Darius Randell
Substitutes Not Used: GK Kai Zeruhn; M Aidan Martinez
COL2 XI: GK Zak Campagnolo; D Charlie Harper, James Cameron (Stevie Flores 79’), Anderson Rosa, Kofie Senanou; M Alex Harris (Noah Strellnauer 46’), Ted Ku-DiPietro, Kimani Stewart-Baynes (Josh Copeland 46’), Malik Pinto (Antony Garcia 69’), Daouda Amadou ©; F Colton Swan
Substitutes Not Used: GK Kendall Starks; D Josh Belluz; F Billo Diop
