MINNEAPOLIS — When the final whistle sounded at Edor Nelson Field on Wednesday evening, inking a 2-2 draw with the NPSL’s Minnesota Blizzard, it marked the first time, through eight games, that Minneapolis City SC had dropped points on the season. Simultaneously, it secured a finish atop the Crows’ group in Minnesota Super Cup play, securing hosting rights for the semifinals.

A fairly even opening quarter-hour was punctuated by a wonderful individual-effort by Asher Ozuzu. Driving through contact and a pair of challenges, City’s most-recent signing bullied his way onto the scoresheet to give the hosts an early lead.

But a growing gap between City’s midfield and its back line left the former unable to shield the latter. And the Minnesota Blizzard found success on the counter.

Jadon Morgan leveled the game in the 18th minute, on the break. Nels Mortenson gave the visitors the lead in the 37th minute, on the break.

“I think we accomplished the objectives we wanted to. We go top of the group, of course, and able to advance in the next rounds, as a first seed. We also see debuts from a lot of guys, and even three guys that are from the Twos get a debut, and that’s a huge thing from a sporting sense and from a club sense, that we want,” said Minneapolis head coach Jon Forsythe. “But yeah, honestly, we spoke with the guys. The game can be much better.

“We can talk about that, but too transitional. We don’t value the ball enough. And then, defensively, in certain areas, we give them way too much space. I think there’s areas where they receive the ball, and even the second half, they don’t score, but they create too many chances. So, a lot to work on, a lot to reflect on for the guys.”

Back with Minneapolis for a second season, Drake winger Elijah Fearing was brought on in the second half.

“The biggest thing was just bringing the energy,” Fearing said. “We weren’t… we were lackadaisical in the first half, that’s why we went down one, but we started to pick it up. So, yeah, just bring more energy.”

Progressively, the possession and field tilt did turn in the Crows’ favor, as the second half unfolded. In the 66th minute, a pair of Wisconsin Badgers would salvage a result for City.

Caleb Capone, who started the contest at wingback, had pushed up to play as one of Forsythe’s wide forwards. And he was played in behind the Blizzard’s back line by Ari van Mol. With a keeper caught in no man’s land, Capone added a composed touch of the ball to roll it into the back of the net on the end of a full-out sprint.

It looked as if, even if not entirely warranted, City might take all 3 points. In the final 10 minutes, the Blizzard seemed content to hold onto the draw that would also see them advance out of group-stage play. And here, City began creating chances, aided by the introduction of Phil Caputo, who nearly scored, twice.

“I think the final action, for sure,” answered Fearing, on the night’s missing piece. “I think we did a good job creating chances, but we just couldn’t get it in the back in the net.”

For Forsythe, as his team was able to work the ball deep into the corners in the attacking third, it was a lack of coordination of movement inside the penalty area, from his charges, that might have hampered securing a third goal.

“We understand a lot of these guys, this is their first game playing together. It’s hard to know. ‘Okay, this guy wants to make this run, and I want to make this run,’ but I think we could have been much-more decisive in a few moments, when we get the ball into those areas. The energy that the substitutes bring, it gives us something. But yeah, would be great to capitalize on the many opportunities there at the end.”

As to who impressed, among the Crows’ senior roster, Forsythe had praise for a pair.

“Raymie [Nyembwe], again, was massive, I think,” said the coach. “The first time he captains the team, it’s a great honor. And yeah, he defensively was so strong in many of the duels.

“I also thought Julian Banks was was immense. We asked so much from him physically. He was everywhere. He was winning so many duels, getting kicked, running behind, taking players on, creating a lot. And, from a non-scoring perspective, this is, I think, the best game he’s had this season. Showed a lot of adaptability and character to go through and to fight, and so I appreciate that from him, a lot, in the front line. We asked for a response from the guys at halftime, and he was one of the ones that I really felt-like set the tone to respond well.”

Debuts for Twos

Three members of the Futures team currently-representing Minneapolis City in UPSL play made their senior-team debuts; Ethan Brown, Malachi Anya, and Carter Mast.

“These guys played individually, each, very well,” noted Forsythe. “You saw Ethan on the left side create a lot in the time that he was in. You saw Carter in the middle set the tempo a lot. And Malachi, I don’t think he lost a defensive duel in the time he was in. So really positive from a club-perspective to get those guys there.”

Mast, like Brown and Anya, did not look off the pace against older opposition. Upon checking in as the Crows’ depth was beginning to assert itself, Forsythe told the incoming Maple Grove High School senior to raise the energy level on the pitch, and enjoy his run out.

“It was super exciting, and obviously it’s a big stage,” Mast said. “And a ton of older, bigger [teammates] that are leaders for me, for sure. And just thought, ‘Keep it calm coming in, and bring some energy into the squad,’ as a younger guy, for sure.

“It’s grown men, and so it’s very physical. Got to keep up with them the best you can, and just work really hard, and keep your mind. You have to be a step ahead of where you already are.”

At 4-1-1, Mast’s Futures team sits in second place in the Midwest West conference, and is chasing promotion from the UPSL’s Division 1 to its Premier Division.

“It’s my first year playing for the UPSL team, and a lot of great guys there, too,” said Mast. “We all work really hard and play as a team, together, and already built some great chemistry. We’ve got to finish our last couple games together with some wins, and get promoted.

“I’ll try to bring the leadership that the other guys have, that I looked up to [tonight], into the UPSL team as I go back.”

Sprint for the Heartland!

River Light FC, once bottom of the division standings, has since defeated Sueno FC and Edgewater Castle FC. Aided by a 1-0 Rockford Raptors victory over the Dreamers, and the Gas Lamps have climbed up into playoff contention. Rochester FC also notched its second win of the season, beating RKC Third Coast 2-1 at home. The middle of the Heartland table has become congested, with three teams now on Sueno’s heels for the division’s second playoff-berth.

Up next for Minneapolis will be a first-ever meeting against Edgewater. The Rooks are battling through it at the moment, coming off the two largest defeats of their inaugural League Two campaign. And now, must make a seven-hour bus trip north to face your first-placed Crows.

For the author’s part, there is some affection for a kindred club, founded without wealthy owners, nor built on top of a large youth soccer organization; a reminder, as Dan Hoedeman is fond of quoting, that, “You can just do things.”

One of the Rooks’ founders, and current president and general manager, Andrew Swanson, previously helped launch the Jackalope Theater, also in the Edgewater neighborhood of Chicago. Some say he is the Bill Kenwright of Illinois.