North Texas Maul Minnesota 4-0, Despite Parker Injury

On a warm July 3rd evening, North Texas continued their winning streak, dominating MUFC 2 despite losing Isaiah Parker to a tough injury.

While FC Dallas has struggled as of late, North Texas, even with an unlikely midseason coaching change, are on a roll.

Their form makes them one of the best soccer teams in the state of Texas to watch, and really, there is no excuse if you live in the DFW area to grab an inexpensive ticket and watch these young players work their magic. It’s a balance of team cohesiveness and individual creativity that allows young players to shine. Results like Thursday night, trouncing their opponent 4-0 in a masterclass, are more of the norm, what to expect.

The latest opponent, Minnesota United FC 2, arrived in Arlington in opposite form of the home side in this one, desperately searching for opportunities to turn their season around. But they never really threatened in this match. Instead, North Texas took an early lead and then crashed in four more goals, including a beauty from young phenom Enes Sali.

This was truly a group effort of goals - Urzua, Ramirez, Scott, and Sali with goals from different phases of play and moments in the match. The team continues to exhibit a ferocity in attack that makes them so dangerous on the transition but also in the build-up.

The big downside and fear is the loss of Isaiah Parker, who was carted off the field with a serious leg injury. The game stopped for about eight minutes as Parker was fitted with an aircast and taken to the hospital for evaluation. Even in that moment, there was concern that maybe the team, then leading 1-0, might lose their edge a bit, but Malik Henry-Scott, scoring his first goal with the side, told the media that it made the game more personal.

Three goals followed in what head coach Michel confided was one of the best second halves of the year.

And throughout, the struggling MUFC2 lacked quality in attack and had little answer.

Michel had little quibble with the squad’s performance. “Everything we talked and planned before the game the boys applied today, especially in the second half. There's nothing to say but to congratulate the boys for their performance today. Now it’s time to move on and keep going and not stop here.”

Malik acknowledged the focus in the locker room right now. “Once we got the first goal, we wanted to open the floodgates in the second half. We wanted to see how many goals we could add to it. I was happy to get my first professional goal in front of my family and friends who drove all the way from Tulsa.”

North Texas turns now to face Colorado Rapids 2 in Colorado, an important test for the side as they continue flying high.