North Texas return with a win, 3-1, over Minnesota.
Tarik Scott earned a big brace as the team collectively put the last month behind them in a big result at home.
North Texas SC started the long weekend with some fireworks, dominating visiting Minnesota United FC 2 3-1 at home.
This was a game of big moments, the biggest in the first few minutes when Sam Sarver was able to get the ball out wide and serve up a cross to the feet of Tarik Scott, who sliced a beautiful ball home for an opening score. That early goal would set the tone for a massive win that this team needed as they look to start their second-half push for postseason glory.
Not that the game was easy or handed to North Texas.
“Minnesota brought the game to us,” Gall said to media after the match. “Football is about scoring goals. We started the game on a really positive note. Putting the last two games behind us and moving forward.”
This was truly a group effort, with strong performances across the lineup to prevent Minnesota United FC 2 from getting into rhythm. The overall energy was strong considering the form North Texas has been in - not disastrous, but not good enough as they struggled to convert opportunities and hold on to leads over the course of June. While JT Harms, starting in goal, would like the one goal allowed back, there is enough positive to help the team focus on its larger goals.
“This is a really enjoyable team to work with. We push forward. We understand that we weren’t at our best in Vancouver. We came back in right away. To go away and score three goals, we made a few mistakes - I think we were disappointed in ourselves,” Gall said. “We responded really well. We knew what Minnesota was going to bring. We focused a little on dealing with situations at the back, being in good spots.”
Gall noted that the team focused in particular on those counter-attacking moments, trusting that Minnesota was going to push forward and create opportunities for this team.
This game also had big moments in debuts, as head coach John Gall was sure to point out to the media after the match — not just Jackson Dubois, announced earlier as a loan signing from New Mexico United, but also Marlon Luccin and Favour Aroyameh (who had been hampered with injury).
“We want good players here. We want competitive people here. When we bring players in, even the likes of Aaron Essel and Fa Sangare, I knew they were going to add things to us,” Gall said.
Tarik Scott was glowing after the game, grateful for the trust the coach had put into him despite having some struggles in front of the goal so far this season.
He noted that, even with the few debuts that evening, the team has a high bar, welcoming players who are expected to get the job done.
“Overall, this team has a great mentality. Competitive group. Mirrors the way I want things done. I was really, really happy with the team in Colorado last week, got the win in the shootout. This team has a lot more things to do. We can do better in many, many areas,” Gall said after the game. “I think that is the essence of the development of the players. Don’t allow them to get too high or too low. We want to win games all the time. Football is fun, when you put the work in and get the reward.”
Sam Sarver got his tenth on the season, a spectacular chip that beat Minnesota outright.
With the win, North Texas SC is in third place with 26 points. There is much work to be done, but it does set a clear marker for how the rest of the season might begin to unfold for this young, dynamic team.