MINNEAPOLIS — Editorializing a bit, each year at Minneapolis City SC brings with it bittersweet moments. Getting to know new players for their three months wearing the black and pink before parting ways after the summer runs its course. Familiar players for whom you cannot say will return again.
There are more matches to come: two regular season fixtures, a Minnesota Super Cup semifinal at Edor Nelson, and at least one League Two playoff-game at a site to be determined. But the regular-season home finale, and the Minneapolis Citizens supporters group’s awarding of the Golden Crow, always serve as conspicuous mile markers, encountered toward the end of every summer’s journey.
Head-to-head with the U.S. Men’s National Team playing in the knockout rounds of the World Cup, Edor Nelson was not the focal point of soccer, even in Minneapolis. But several hundred still came out to cheer on the Crows.
On the field, on Saturday, City kept one of its best-ever seasons rolling.
Jeloni Murray-Powell pounced on a loose ball, flicking it on with the outside of his foot. Nathan “Dr. Goals” Donovan’s half-volley led to Masango Akale’s full volley, and one of the prettiest goals of the season. It was the eighth minute.
That City has taken a lead into the 85th minute in all but one league contest this season may have skewed expectations for some, including the author. “Score early and fart around,” is simultaneously a dismissal of all defensive effort and a thought that creeps into the heads of those watching a team who have been spoiled for results.
Thankfully, sustained pressure from the Crows led to a low Dubem Obilo cross, poked in by Donovan, doubling Minneapolis’ lead just before halftime. Key, in that the two-goal margin meant a single-moment of incisive play on the counter from the St. Croix Legends could no longer level matters.
Six minutes after the restart, former-Crow Ramsey Ouro-Akondo brought Akale down inside the box. Hakeem Morgan converted, scoring his 11th of the season, just two behind Dr. Goals’ Golden-Boot pace of 13. It marked the last change in score line.
“We know St. Croix is a very good team,” said Minneapolis head coach Jon Forsythe. “Very physical team, a team that gave us a lot of problems, probably the most problems we saw, in our first round with them. We just wanted to change a few things, and allow the guys to find space. And to their credit, so fluid. I think we were unlucky to only be 2-0 up at the end of the first half. The guys did well to close the game in the second half, get the clean sheet, manage it. All around great performance from the guys today.”
The front trio of Akale, Donovan and Morgan were, as has been common in Heartland Division play, a bit more than the opposition could contain; the familiar back line of Islam Houssni, Jason Ramos, and Dubem Obilo formidable.
A bit unexpected was the deputization of midfielder Will Schmidt at right wingback. And perhaps less so, with playoffs and division title in hand, Moritz Krenc’s first start and City debut, spelling Daniel Sessler in goal.
Schmidt Army Knife
“He’s so multidimensional,” said Forsythe. “I watched this film in, March [or] February. I knew he was a technical footballer. He could play. He sees the game so well, but what I’ve been impressed with is, he works. He knows, I think every one of the guys knows, we have an extra player or two in every position that is a very, very good player. So, everybody has to work for their position, everybody has to run.
“Think there’s one action… we lose the ball in stoppage time, 3-0, and we have three players sprinting 20, 30 yards to counter-press. We regain the ball, no counter attack. I think that’s the ethos of this team. Will is a great embodiment of this super talented player, but also, yeah, a worker. A dog. A guy that’s gonna get into a challenge as well.”
Starting at wingback, moving inside, and moving up top to close out the win, Schmidt put in a full 90-plus minutes, and was literally all over the field.
“Probably U-16,” Schmidt answered when asked about the last time he had played three positions in a game. “You know, it’s fun. I like going into tackles. I like getting in the attack, so it’s not too hard. It’s easy, especially with a team like this.”
The Mendota Heights native cited a good first touch, game sense, and a high motor as the keys to his versatility.
“I’ve never seen a team run as much as the guys do,” Schmidt said. “We’re all over the place, and on top of that, we just got guys that can finish the end of the play. So, again, it’s super easy.”
Big Moritz
First start, club debut, and a clean sheet — about as idyllic an introduction as a goalkeeper could hope, for Krenc.
“Just really happy to be able to start with a clean sheet,” said the St. Thomas netminder. “I think the defense helped out a lot, didn’t have to do too much, made my life easy. Ramos, Islam, Dubs in front of me. Also, the guys that came in did a great job defending, and overall, just happy to make my debut for Minneapolis City.”
Called into action a few times against the run of play, Krenc kept his focus — in spite of lopsided run of play — by staying involved in keeping a high line, and directing his teammates from the back.
“He is a huge, huge guy,” said Forsythe. “I think there are a few actions in the second half where the player comes in on goal, and you can see he fills the entire goal. Super-intimidating presence, and made a lot of good decisions. He’s been training amazing. He had to go back to Germany for a few weeks just for visa stuff, and so he kind of got back at a weird time. But he’s done so much these last weeks to be able to push Sessler, and honestly, his performance in training he deserved to play in this game. I think since he’s returned he’s showed well. You also see Sess is training really well, and really hard to protect his spot.”
MINNEAPOLIS — Goalkeeper Moritz Krenc stands with teammates during introductions ahead of Minneapolis City SC’s 3-0 win over the St. Croix Legends at Edor Nelson Field on July 1, 2026. Video credit: Isaac Miller
Swallen Is Golden
The Minneapolis Citizens’ Golden Crow award is not a rebranding of Most Valuable Player, or Player of the Year. Rather, it recognizes the Minneapolis player who has demonstrated the same level of passion and commitment to the club as its supporters.
No player in his debut season has won the award, if one includes time spent with the Futures.
This year, the Citizens chose to recognize midfielder Jake Swallen. He joins defender Jonah Garcia, midfielder Max Steigwardt, defender Matt Murakami, and goalkeepers Evan Siefken and Daniel Sessler as the sixth recipient.
“Being recognized as someone who represents the values and qualities of this club means a lot to me,” Swallen said. “Receiving this award is an honor, as I know there are so many of my teammates who are as deserving of this. I want to thank them for competing hard and pushing me in training to be better in my football, and as a leader. I also want to thank our amazing fan base who support and motivate us whether it be home or away. Thank you again to the Citizens for selecting me, and I’ll continue striving to represent this club with hard work, respect, and good football.”
Asked, post-game about Swallen’s recognition, Forsythe offered some of his own.
“Jake is huge for us,” said Forsythe. “I could talk for two hours about what he does on the field, and I think I say after every game, the leadership of this team pushes the team to be excellent. You can see he’s a player of top, top quality, and then he demands, in a quieter way than some, but he demands excellence from his teammates. And he understands how to compete.”
Sprint for the Heartland Open Cup!
We will still keep tabs on the Heartland Division’s second playoff berth, while pulling for former City midfielder and Futures coach, Scott Heinen, who is now at the helm of Chicago Dutch Lions. Mathematically, it is official: the race for second place is down to just Sueno FC and Scotty’s boys.
The Dutch Lions play reeling Rochester FC tonight, away, then again, away, to RKC Third Coast on July 8.
The Dreamers have but one game still to play: hosting the Dutch Lions in the regular-season finale.
Because Sueno defeated the Dutch Lions earlier this season, it holds the tiebreaker. Chicago needs three-straight wins to overtake. But what a story, if Heinen and his charges can pull it off.
And City? Well, the top-10 division winners, based on points-per-game, in League Two will receive berths into the 2027 U.S. Open Cup. So how do things stack up, among all 20 divisions?
Only Minneapolis and the Ocean City Nor’easters (Mid-Atlantic) have unblemished records. Vermont Green FC (Northeast), Peoria City (Great Plains), and Little Rock Rangers (Mid South) have all picked up a draw, respectively. Snohomish United (Northwest) has a loss as its only blemish.
There is a little bit of extra math to be done, with respect to points-per-game, given some divisions play 14-game schedules while others play 12-game schedules. But very broadly, if the Crows can win one of their final-two regular season matches, Minneapolis will finish among the top-seven division winners, and return to Open Cup play next year. Even a draw, pending numerous other results, would likely be sufficient.
