Photo Gallery: MNUFC2 vs Sporting KC II

Minnesota United’s reserve side, MNUF2, held their home debut at Allianz Field on Sunday afternoon. Sporting KC II made the trip up to Saint Paul to take on MNUFC2 under a cold a dreary sky that gave way to a wintry mix. It wasn’t quite the same level of a snopener as the senior team had experienced in 2017, but it did snow for a while during the inaugural match at Allianz Field which was apropos for another Minnesota United home opener.

MNUFC2 fielded a side for kickoff that included players from the first team. Jacori Hayes, Justin McMaster, Niko Hansen, Nabilai Kibunguchy and Fred Emmings all made the start. Having a team for the fringe players and ones coming back from injury will be a great benefit for the club. Most importantly this will give a field for the Loons of the future to develop and grow into the Minnesota United system. Starters selected from the MNUFC2 roster included Delvin Padelford, CC Uche, Jason Ramos, Nick Mendonca, Emanuel Iwe and Tommy Williamson.

Members of the senior side took up seats behind the bench to show support for MNUFC2. Players such as Wil Trapp, Emanuel Reynoso, Hassani Dotson, Dayne St. Clair, DJ Taylor and Patrick Weah were spotted in the stands.

The reserve side gave up a goal in each half and lost by a score of 2-0 to Sporting KC II. A few hundred fans were in attendance to cheer on the up and coming Loons. Despite the loss, “Wonderwall” was still played at the stadium. It wasn't pumped through the stadium PA system this time, it was emanating from the visitor’s locker room after Sporting KC II secured a victory.

The next game up for MNUFC2 is on April 4, 2022 when they head to Utah to play Real Monarchs. The next home game will be on Sunday, April 17 against Colorado after the senior sides duke it out the day before at Allianz Field.

The MLS NEXT Pro logo is shown during the MNUFC2 vs Sporting KC II match at Allianz Field in Saint Paul, Minn., on Sunday, April 3, 2022. (Photo by Seth Steffenhagen/Steffenhagen Photography)

Minnesota United goalkeeper Fred Emmings (99) makes a save during the MNUFC2 vs Sporting KC II match at Allianz Field in Saint Paul, Minn., on Sunday, April 3, 2022. (Photo by Seth Steffenhagen/Steffenhagen Photography)

Minnesota United midfielder Niko Hansen (11) during the MNUFC2 vs Sporting KC II match at Allianz Field in Saint Paul, Minn., on Sunday, April 3, 2022. (Photo by Seth Steffenhagen/Steffenhagen Photography)

MNUFC2 midfielder Nick Mendonca (71) slide tackles the ball away from Sporting KC II forward Ozzie Cisneros (25) during the match at Allianz Field in Saint Paul, Minn., on Sunday, April 3, 2022. (Photo by Seth Steffenhagen/Steffenhagen Photography)

Sporting KC II defender Aljaz Dzankic (50) fails to block a cross by MNUFC2 midfielder Emanuel Iwe (42) during the match at Allianz Field in Saint Paul, Minn., on Sunday, April 3, 2022. (Photo by Seth Steffenhagen/Steffenhagen Photography)

Sporting KC II defender Aljaz Dzankic (50) fails to block a cross by MNUFC2 midfielder Emanuel Iwe (42) during the match at Allianz Field in Saint Paul, Minn., on Sunday, April 3, 2022. (Photo by Seth Steffenhagen/Steffenhagen Photography)

Sporting KC II defender Kaveh Rad (48) and Minnesota United midfielder Niko Hansen (11) reach out to kick the ball during the MNUFC2 vs Sporting KC II match at Allianz Field in Saint Paul, Minn., on Sunday, April 3, 2022. (Photo by Seth Steffenhagen/Steffenhagen Photography)

MNUFC2 midfielder Aziel Jackson (25) chases the ball during the match against Sporting KC II at Allianz Field in Saint Paul, Minn., on Sunday, April 3, 2022. (Photo by Seth Steffenhagen/Steffenhagen Photography)

MNUFC2 midfielder Emanuel Iwe (42) dribbles the ball during the match against Sporting KC II at Allianz Field in Saint Paul, Minn., on Sunday, April 3, 2022. (Photo by Seth Steffenhagen/Steffenhagen Photography)

MNUFC2 midfielder Aziel Jackson (25) dribbles the ball during the match against Sporting KC II at Allianz Field in Saint Paul, Minn., on Sunday, April 3, 2022. (Photo by Seth Steffenhagen/Steffenhagen Photography)

MNUFC2 midfielder Emanuel Iwe (42) and Sporting KC II defender Kayden Pierre (24) chase down a loose ball during the match at Allianz Field in Saint Paul, Minn., on Sunday, April 3, 2022. (Photo by Seth Steffenhagen/Steffenhagen Photography)

Minnesota United defender Jacori Hayes (5) escapes a slide tackle from Sporting KC II forward Rauf Salifu (42) during the MNUFC2 vs Sporting KC II match at Allianz Field in Saint Paul, Minn., on Sunday, April 3, 2022. (Photo by Seth Steffenhagen/Steffenhagen Photography)

MNUFC2 defender Delvin Padelford (22) places the ball for a free kick during the match against Sporting KC II at Allianz Field in Saint Paul, Minn., on Sunday, April 3, 2022. (Photo by Seth Steffenhagen/Steffenhagen Photography)

MNUFC2 Head Coach Cameron Knowles takes questions from the media after the 2-0 loss to Sporting KC II at Allianz Field in Saint Paul, Minn., on Sunday, April 3, 2022. (Photo by Seth Steffenhagen/Steffenhagen Photography)

MNUFC2 defender Delvin Padelford (22) takes questions from the media after the 2-0 loss to Sporting KC II at Allianz Field in Saint Paul, Minn., on Sunday, April 3, 2022. (Photo by Seth Steffenhagen/Steffenhagen Photography)