MINNEAPOLIS — Minneapolis City SC salvaged a last-second draw with the University of Minnesota Twin Cities men’s club team in the Crows’ final preseason friendly. Second-half goals from Martin Browne Jr. and Nick Hutton each came in response to U of M scores, as City just managed to keep pace with the Golden Gophers on Friday night.

New head coach Adam Pribyl opted to deploy his Crows in a 4-3-3 to begin the game. Matt Elder started in goal behind a back four of Aaron Olson, Max Kent, Joey Gustafson, and Charlie Adams. A.J. Albers sat in front of the defense, partnered in midfield by Ben Wexler and Browne. Up top, Tim Wills was flanked by Miles Stockman-Willis and Chase Carey.

City was unable to hold much possession in the opening 15 minutes, but did settle in to the game as the first half progressed, forcing a pair of goal-line clearances. The Crows kept the game scoreless at the half thanks to a scrambling clearance from Elder, as the Gophers squandered a late chance on goal.

In a reversal of the first half, the Crows seized the initiative to begin the second period of play, but it was the U of M that scored scored the game’s first goal. The ball was swung into a crowd of players from a corner, then powered into the Minneapolis goal.

City would answer in the 54th minute via a Brown free kick.

GOOOOAALLL! Browne scores for #MplsCity in the 2nd.

MCSC: 1 | UMN: 1 // 2nd Half pic.twitter.com/1JtL9Zkuzc

— Mpls City Gameday (@MplsCityGameday) May 6, 2017

Mike Plante buried a free kick of his own following a foul committed by Gustafson, putting the Gophers back in front 2-1.

Neither team was able to take advantage of their scoring chances over the game’s last 15 minutes, until Nick Hutton’s left-footed volley leveled the score at 2-2 in the game’s dying seconds.

Look at Nick Hutton bang in the equalizer tonight. #MplsCity pic.twitter.com/GqFEZHAFyF

— Minneapolis City SC (@mplscitysc) May 6, 2017

The scoreline was a fair reflection of a closely-contested match. City held more possession and created more chances, but was unable to distance itself from a U of M team that threatened on the counter, and was comfortable sitting back to defend for extended periods of play.

Minneapolis City will open its 2017 NPSL season away to crosstown opponent Viejos Son Los Trapos FC in St. Paul on Saturday, May 13.

---

Gallery

---

FiftyFive.One is now on Patreon. Do you like the independent coverage of soccer news from Minnesota and beyond that FiftyFive.One offers? Please consider becoming a patron.