Duluth FC vs. Minneapolis City SC
Edor Nelson Field | Minneapolis, MN
May 26th, 2021 | Game #2
Current 2021 Records (W-L-T):
Duluth: 1-0-0; 0-1-0 at home/on the road
MPLS: 2-0-0; 2-0-0 at home/on the road
Starting Lineup: Brendan Dally, Jake Starling, Scott McCarthy, Martin Gryzwa, Liam Condone,
Jacob Daffern, Dylan Sumner, Aidan Hill, James Westfield, Sidney Warden, Michael Devlin
Goals:
41’ – Sidney Warden (DFC)
47’ – Medo Youssef (MPLS)
50’ – Will Kidd (MPLS)
52’ – Sidney Warden (DFC)
80’ – Brayan López (MPLS)
Duluth traveled for the first time this season to Minneapolis to face Minneapolis City following
the BlueGreens season opening win against Joy Athletic. Minneapolis City had already played
three matches ahead of today’s matchup, all resulting in wins and a total of 9 points.
Minneapolis City dominated the possession in the early game and had their share of chances, but
a strong performance from keeper Brendan Dally, who also started against Joy Athletic, helped
ensure no goals were scored for the home side. Duluth opened the scoring just before half time as
Sidney Warden scored his third goal of the season off of a wonderful counter attack, a common
method of attack for Duluth on the night. It was 1-0 to Duluth at half time, with Duluth surviving
a dominant start for Minneapolis and coming away with a surprise lead.
Minneapolis City opened the second half with two early goals Youssef and Kidd, finding space
around the Duluth backline and slotting in two vital finishes after an opening 45 minutes of
missed or saved shots. Duluth would find their way back into the match as Sidney Warden
managed to score once again, marking his fourth from two starts. Brayan López found City’s
winner with a strong shot from the edge of the 18 yard box, outsmarting multiple defenders
before beating Dally despite the South African keeper’s strong performance on the night. It
would be the last goal of the night despite bright moments from the BlueGreens on the counter
attack.
It was a night of highs and lows for the BlueGreens, who now head home knowing they will
have two important opportunities to take wins away from home when they face La Crosse Aris
and the Sioux Falls Thunder over the next two weekends. While the club’s opening two
scorelines have proven exciting for all clubs involved, the BlueGreens continue to find strong
performances on both ends of the pitch and will have more than enough room in the remaining
ten matches to stay in both the playoff and title races.
The night also handed a first Duluth FC start for Scott McCarthy, who was the only change from
Duluth’s starting line up against Joy Athletic.
Head Coach Sean Morgan nominated Sidney Warden as Duluth’s Man of the Match for the
night. It’s Warden’s second MOTM nomination from two games, a reflection of his deadly start
as a forward for the club. With four goals from two games, Warden leads the race for the Kyle
Farrar Golden Boot, the title given by Duluth FC to their top goal scorer each season.
The result hands Duluth its first loss of the year and leaves them with 3 points from 2 games as
they lose at Minneapolis City for just the second time in club history. City, meanwhile, have four
wins from four games. Duluth’s next match will be their second away match of the season,
played on May 29th against La Crosse Aris. La Crosse have one draw and one loss this season.
