North Texas Comes From Behind

Minnesota United FC 2 snagged a goal early, but North Texas found their way back into the match from goals by Ferreira and Endelay.

The past couples games for North Texas SC 2 have been tough.

Sloppy mistakes and poor defending, amidst a cramped schedule, meant 7 goals were dropped against them, putting matches out of reach.

Tonight, welcoming Minnesota United FC 2 who have not yet lost in league play, North Texas SC put those bad memories behind them, at least for the moment.

However, it didn’t start off well for the home side. Minnesota went up early off of a recycled ball and cross into the box that was poorly defended. For a moment, you could grudge those awful memories. Would North Texas collapse again?

Cano and his squad rallied. They couldn’t equalize in the first half, but that wasn’t due to a lack of energy and effort. Numerous chances presented themselves, but the final ball or opportunity was just out of reach.

In the second half, FC Dallas academy kid Nayrobi Vargas came on for his professional debut and helped complicate life for Minnesota, now having to deal with two athletic forwards up top alongside Jose Mulato.

The equalizer goal came from a pretty shot zipping along the field and into the corner of the net by Theo Ferreira, a big moment that deflated Minnesota.

North Texas surged forward some more, and Herbert Endeley, the FC Dallas SuperDraft pick who has mostly played right back, got further and further up the field into the attack. He finished off a beautiful interchange of passes, coolly slotting a ball home for his first professional soccer goal.

Some last minute defending - a goal waved off due to offside - a bit of chippiness. The final 5-10 minutes had a bit of everything. Most importantly, when the whistle blew, North Texas had their first win in three games.

After the game Head Coach Javier Cano talked about the fight for the team. “In those games, we had 2-3 minutes of panic. Today, we created a new dynamic - get together, speak, set our ideas, and keep going. Today, the team, even being very young overall, did very well.”

Cano mentioned that at halftime the talk was just about focusing their ideas. “We were reinforcing our ideas. If we keep playing in our way, the opportunities will be there.”

Endelay told reporters that the team started this match much stronger, despite the goal given up. “We started this match much better than the other matches. It was important that we stayed focus and not let our minds get distracted.”

Cano also spoke highly of Nayrobi coming in and making such a big mark, helping create space for the attacks that led to the two goals. And he added that he feels the sky is the limit of Herbert’s future.

“A fullback who loves to attack and a winger can come inside. When we did not have him when he was ill, we missed him,” Cano said. “We want to help him achieve his dream. If Nico is calling and if they need him, be ready for it.”