An impressive defensive first half from MNUFC2 was overshadowed by a difficult second half as the Twos fell 4-0 to North Texas SC on Wednesday night at Choctaw Stadium in Arlington, Texas.

MNUFC2 got their first free kick of the match in the 11th minute when first team striker Patrick Weah ran towards the North Texas goalkeeper's box when Alejandro Urzua tugged on his shirt. The Twos were then awarded a free kick which midfielder Rory O'Driscoll took, sending the ball deeper into the box from 25 yards out but the chance fizzled out.

North Texas then had the first real scoring opportunity of the game in the 20th minute when Abdoul Zanne dashed towards the MNUFC2 penalty area and fired a shot from 18 yards out that sailed towards the far post. Newly signed Twos goalkeeper Francesco Montali made a diving save to keep the score at 0-0.

But just minutes later, the home side struck first when Herbert Endeley sent a final pass deeper into the six-yard box near the byline. MNUFC Academy defender Dom Mawing attempted to clear but the ball went short and Texas' Urzua finished the shot from a tight angle and deflected it into the net, giving them a 1-0 lead.

After 30 minutes, MNUFC2 midfielder Molik Jesse Khan saw complete space almost 30 meters from the goal and shot from a long distance, but goalkeeper Carrera Zarzar saved. After the rebound, Khan got to the ball again and lobbed it over the goalkeeper, but the ball lost speed just before the goal line.

In the 40th minute, Isaiah Parker of North Texas suffered a serious injury in the MNUFC2 goalie box, halting play for nearly 10 minutes.

The Twos' last chance of the first half came in the 11th minute of stoppage time when Weah was again awarded a free kick outside the Texas penalty area when he was fouled on a run. Khan took the free kick but the defensive wall stopped the shot.

End-to-end action was the theme at the start of the second half, with both MNUFC2 and North Texas SC attempting to capitalize on transition runs.

In the 54th minute, the home side scored their second goal of the game when Endeley delivered a cross into the MNUFC2 box, from where the ball was perfectly passed to Anthony Ramirez. Ramirez then headed the ball in from close range to double the lead to 2-0.

Malik-Henry Scott scored North Texas' third goal of the night in the 64th minute after receiving a through ball from Ramirez and slipping past the MNUFC2 defense to cement the lead. Just three minutes later, the Texas side added a fourth goal to seal the game, courtesy of a strike from Enes Sali.

GOALS
0-1 NTX – Alejandro Urzua, assist by Herbert Endeley (24')
0-2 NTX – Anthony Ramirez, assisted by Herbert Endeley (54')
0-3 NTX – Malik Henry-Scott, assist from Ramirez (64')
0-4 NTX – Enes Sali, assist by Amet Korça (67')

DISCIPLINARY SUMMARY
Attention, NTX – Alejandro Urzua (11')
Attention, NTX – Malik Henry-Scott (63')
Attention, MNUFC2 – Rory O'Driscoll (88')
Attention, MNUFC2 – Aidan Martinez (90'+4')

Notable statistics
1 – Goalkeeper Francesco Montali, who recently signed an MLS NEXT Pro contract with MNUFC2, made his first starting goaltender appearance for the Twos.

TEAM LEADER (Updated July 3)
Goals – Patrick Weah (8)
Templates – Molik Jesse Khan (3)
Parades – Alec Smir (19)
Wins – Alec Smir (2)
Shutouts – Clint Irwin (1)