Commerce City, Colorado (August 21, 2022) – North Texas SC (11-5-5, 40 points) collected two points Sunday night after winning the extra point shootout against Colorado Rapids 2 (5-9-6, 25 points) 3-0 following a 1-1 draw over 90 minutes at DICK’S Sporting Goods Park.
SHOOTOUT RECORD
North Texas SC won its second extra point shootout of the season after Luis Miguel, Carl Sainté and Blake Pope converted from the penalty spot following a 1-1 draw in regulation. Goalkeeper Antonio Carrera made two shootout saves as North Texas won the tie breaker 3-0. It’s the club’s second tie-breaker shootout victory after its 6-5 win over Taco Defiance on April 2.
DEBUTANT
Midfielder Carl Sainté made his North Texas SC and MLS NEXT Pro debut after replacing Tomás Lacerda in the 46th minute. Sainté, 20, joined the club on loan from New Mexico United of the USL Championship on August 15.
UP NEXT: NORTH TEXAS SC FACES MINNESOTA UNITED 2
North Texas SC will travel to face Minnesota United 2 at Allianz Field on Saturday, Sept. 3 following its final bye week of the regular season.
Lineups
North Texas SC — Antonio Carrera; Blake Pope, Lucas Bartlett, Paul Amedume (Nolan Norris - 84’), Isaiah Parker; Jared Aguilar, Tomas Lacerda (Carl Sainté - 46’), André Costa; Bernard Kamungo, José Mulato (Luis Miguel - 80’), Hope Avayevu (Alejandro Araneda - 90’)
Substitutes not used — Felipe Carneiro, Pablo Torre.
Colorado Rapids 2 — Clint Irwin; Omar Gómez, Michael Edwards, Gustavo Vallecilla, Anthony Markanich (Steve Flores - 77’); Connor Miller (Philip Mayaka - 71’), Robinson Aguirre, Ralph Priso-Mbongue; Max Alves da Silva (Daouda Amadou - 12’), Yosuke Hanya, Maclocio Swett.
Substitutes not used — Abraham Rodriguez, Danny Garcia, Blake Malone, Keith Chavarria, Josh Hardin, Jack Sullivan.
Scoring Summary:
NTX: André Costa — 88’
COL: Michael Edwards — 90+2’
Misconduct Summary:
COL: Daouda Amadou (caution) — 45’
COL: Ralph Priso-Mbongue (caution) — 66’
NTX: Jared Aguilar (caution) — 91’
Weather: Partly Cloudy, 71℉
Referee: Joshua Belzer
Assistant Referees: Melissa Beck (1), John Krill (2)
Fourth official: Laura Rodriguez
North Texas SC Postgame Quotes
Head Coach Pa-Modou Kah
Thoughts on the match performance and result…
“It was very good to see the boys play at altitude. We had a few chances in the first half and, if we buried them, it would’ve been a different story to the game. But with the way the boys fought until the end, we deserved to get the goal. We could’ve done better defending the corner (at the end). These are the learning points that they need to grow because it’s going to help them further down the line. Other than that I’m very proud of them.”
On his mindset going into the tie-breaker shootout…
“I had no concerns because it’s just a lottery. Shootouts are a lottery. Sometimes what goes around comes around, tonight we deserved to win. In Portland, I think we were the better team but lost the shootout. So to be able to win today I think it’s a credit to the boys because giving up that late goal could have changed the momentum in their favor. Instead we kept our heads cool and were rewarded which was great to see.”
On Carl Sainté’s debut…
“I think he’s a true professional. He’s always the first one in the locker room and he trains with high intensity and the same mentality. He’s a high-character guy. It was good to see him in his 45 minutes today and he’ll understand more and more of how we play. But I think he gave the boys a boost being in the middle of the park. He’s a very good player and we’re going to benefit from him. I’m looking forward to seeing him in these coming games.”
Defender Blake Pope
Overall thoughts on the match…
“It’s great coming to a place like Colorado where it's difficult to play in because of their altitude. We were able to come away with two points and we were close to earning all three. Those two points are key in the final push for playoffs. I thought the boys did well. We came out swinging and pressing. We would have liked to get the win instead but we are happy with the two points and of the performance from the boys.”
On the team preparing for playoffs…
“We are not concerned about what seed or where we have to play when the time comes. We will be ready to fight and win every game. As of now the boys are feeling good. We got two points tonight and we are happy with that. We know that the Minnesota game will be a challenge, but we know we can play and we know how to play. We will look to come away with three points.”
