MINNEAPOLIS — Things started quickly for the Crows. Caleb Capone assisted Hakeem Morgan in just the seventh minute. And Morgan would do the same for Nathan Donovan in the ninth. The latter would prove the game winner, with Minneapolis City SC going on to defeat visiting Edgewater Castle FC by a 3-1 scoreline.
Morgan’s goal, set up by an excellent one-touch pass from Capone, was capped by a moment of technical brilliance. The former St. Olaf standout beat his marker off the dribble, then roofed a hard-hit shot into the near upper-corner.
Donovan’s goal, from Morgan, was a pass to feet right in front of goal, where the no. 9 shielded a centerback before turning to roll a ball into the far corner from close range.
“A key component of the attack is just everybody getting involved in the attack,” said Donovan. “We got penetrating passes in behind from many different players. All of our defenders can play a long ball over the top, as you saw today. As we also saw today, Jake Swallen played a perfect through-ball to me. Unfortunately, I didn’t finish that one to give him the assist, but everybody’s dangerous to create a goal-scoring opportunity. Also, Phil [Caputo] getting on down on the wing, sliding balls back; everybody is just so dangerous out here, and everybody’s capable of scoring. And it’s what’s been our success.”
Celebrating that personal and collective achievement after scoring his first on the evening, Donovan grabbed his ankles in reverse, before bouncing up and down thrice, prompting Morgan to cover his face at the sight.
“I’ve always been the type of kid to, like, on FIFA, research all the celebrations, do a celebration after every goal, make sure the opponent has to watch. And so, I think celebrations are a reward. You get to score and you get to be creative and choose the celebration you want to do. So, I kind-of just threw this one idea out there to my teammates, and they’re like, ‘No way. No way you can do that, bro.’ But I’m just like, ‘You know, the right time, I think I might pull it out.’ And it’s a little embarrassing, but I like to have fun with it, and give the fans something to laugh about.”
“To be honest… Donnie… I love the enthusiasm he has.” Minneapolis head coach Jon Forsythe continued, “But you know, maybe other guys, you probably shouldn’t put this in, but maybe other guys are a little bit better dancers than this guy.”
The good and the notable of the early going put the Crows in control of the contest for the remainder of the game. But, there was a bit of a lull as City chased a third goal.
MINNEAPOLIS — Hakeem Morgan scores against Edgewater Castle FC during Minneapolis City SC’s 3-1 victory at Edor Nelson Field on June 20, 2026. Video credit: Isaac Miller
“You cannot bypass the moments of quality,” offered Forsythe. “The first two goals, especially the first one, one of the best goals that we score. Draw the pressure to one side, switch play, the first-touch ball from Caleb is so good, and then Hakeem and the one-v-one, like unbelievable. Onto his quote-unquote weak foot, and amazing finish.
“And then, you see the other two goals, very decisive. I would agree there’s moments that are complicated for us, where I think we can do a bit better in building. They gave some things tactically for us that it took us a little time to be able to solve. But I think the guys understood where the game was, and that we could do different things to be able to keep the result. Now, again, I want to have a little bit more killer instinct, there. We want to see Donnie dancing even more than he is for the crowd, and other guys [dancing as well].”
That third goal would come five minutes after halftime. It began as what was likely an Alex Moreno shot, after Morgan Olson pounced on a loose ball in the Rooks’ penalty area, squaring it for his center midfielder. But Donovan, onside and creating traffic in front of the keeper, added a toe to slightly redirect the ball on its way into the net.
The Crows survived an 82nd-minute penalty by Rui Miguel Borges Reis after the referee came to the opinion that Julian Banks got more than half of a fifty-fifty inside the 18-yard box. But little fault to Banks on the night, who put in tireless work after checking into the game in the 61st to spell Donovan with City up three.
The win marked Minneapolis’ seventh-straight in League Two play, which set a new club best.
“We know the history of the club. There have been so many good teams, so many good players that have come before,” Forsythe said. “For these guys, it’s a testament not only to their ability… but also the togetherness and the enjoyment. You have guys that love playing together, love fighting for each other, and that’s evident. You can’t just have amazing players and win. You need amazing players that buy into each other, and so they’ve done a great job of that.”
MINNEAPOLIS — Nathan Dononvan scores his first goal against Edgewater Castle FC during Minneapolis City SC’s 3-1 victory at Edor Nelson Field on June 20, 2026. Video credit: Isaac Miller
Quiet at the Back
Through seven league contests, the Crows have conceded only three goals, and only two from open play, boasting one of the best defensive records in the league.
A standout addition to that City defense has been 20 year-old Islam Houssni, who just completed his sophomore year at Indiana Wesleyan. And in contrast to Donovan, might be the least-likely Minneapolis player to break out an attention-grabbing dance.
The youngest of City’s most-used back-three cites partnering with Jason Ramos and Dubem Obilo as particularly beneficial.
“Having experienced players like Jason Ramos in the back, Dubem Obilo.” Houssni offered, when asked on factors behind such a stingy defensive record. “Communication is a big key too. Three goals in seven games, it’s not an easy thing. We did put a lot of effort into it, and we’re glad that we’ve just had three goals. And we’re trying to keep that that way.”
As did goalkeeper Daniel Sessler in a previous postgame, Houssni made a point to highlight Ramos’ organization of the defense.
“It’s a huge advantage to play next to an experienced player like Jason,” said Houssni. “He always helps with the communication. Sometimes, I get to too-much ball watching. Sometimes you have to cover. It’s always the small details that makes the difference in the back line. Having a player like Jason Ramos, also Dubem, is a great advantage for us, and me. I’m growing in the game, and I’m trying to do my best every game, so having a player that communicates, that already has been in the position and played, helps a lot.”
Echoing his coach’s earlier statements about the Crows fighting for one another, Houssni highlighted how group cohesiveness allows City defenders to play without fear.
“Not being afraid to make mistakes,” Houssni said. “Everyone is going to make a mistake, one, two in the game. And you got to know that the player next to you is your brother, and he’s going to fight for you, and he’s going to recover for you. So, once you make a mistake, you move on, and you play the next ball.”
MINNEAPOLIS — Islam Houssni (left) and Jason Ramos (center) are shown, pregame, ahead of Minneapolis City SC’s 3-1 victory over Edgewater Castle FC at Edor Nelson Field on June 20, 2026. Video credit: Isaac Miller
Dr. Goals
Scoring his ninth and tenth on the evening, Donovan set a new club record for goals in a single season. Loïc Mesanvi, currently playing professionally with Indy Eleven, tallied nine goals in 13 senior-team appearances during the Crows’ 2022 season.
Preston Kipnusu, who began the current League Two season with the Des Moines Menace before moving to Peoria City, scored eight goals for Minneapolis in 2025, and his Drake teammate Jackson Kirsch notched seven. Tied with Kirsch for fourth place is Miles Stockman-Willis, who also contributed seven goals in 2017.
A quintet of players have reached the six goal mark. Namely, Brandon McGarrity (2018), Whitney Browne (2018), Martin Browne, Jr. (2019), Shea Bechtel (2025) and presently, Hakeem Morgan, who is only on six goals for now, after grabbing the opener on Saturday.
“Yeah, it’s awesome. It’s awesome,” said Donovan on setting a new club record. “You know, as often as people say, it’s still very true… I can’t score 10 goals without the team. We got everybody setting me up, putting me in good positions to score, and a lot of times, I’m just in the right place at the right time. And so, I’ve been fortunate so far, and I hope to keep it rolling, but my main goal is just keep winning. Help the team any way I can, and get 3 points.”
Headed to medical school for his postgraduate studies in the fall, Donovan was dubbed “Dr. Goals” by City co-founder and current play-by-play announcer Jon Bisswurm.
“I thought it was very creative,” Donovan said. “I’m not sure which announcer came up with that, but I love the nickname, and yeah, very clever. I really like it.”
MINNEAPOLIS — Nathan Dononvan scores his second goal against Edgewater Castle FC during Minneapolis City SC’s 3-1 victory at Edor Nelson Field on June 20, 2026. Video credit: Isaac Miller
Sprint for the Heartland!
Victory over the Rooks means the Crows have reduced their magic number to 6 points as of Saturday night. Two more wins, thanks to the first tie-breaker being head-to-head record, and Minneapolis City both punches its ticket to the postseason, and clinches a second-straight Heartland Division title. And that’s if neither Sueno FC nor River Light FC drop points for the remainder of the season.
Sunday, Sueno host St. Croix Legends in Chicago, while fourth-placed RKC Third Coast are away to Scott Heinen’s Chicago Dutch Lions.
Midweek, in an advantageous matchup for City, River Light plays at Sueno in a game where at least one of the Heartland’s second and third-placed teams must drop points. Edgewater will look to grab its first road win since joining League Two, facing a Rockford Raptors team it defeated in its league debut. And, your Crows will host the Seagulls, looking for their second-ever win over RKC.
“We had a very difficult game against RKC,” Forsythe said, of the pair’s June meeting in Racine. “We knew they would be good the first time, and they played us very well, other than, you know, hitting the post, the first half, a few other chances. We didn’t create a lot. So we’ve analyzed the game, and so we have a clear idea of how we want to play against them. I want to shout out, actually, Alex Hosler, he’s the assistant here. You should interview him soon about the second team, they’re doing great things. He just got his B license. But this guy spends hours and hours watching the film, breaking it down. And so, yeah, we’ve come with a really good game plan for Wednesday.”
