MLS NEXT Pro: CT United FC Shows Promise Despite Loss in Historic Home Opener

Staff Writer
4 days ago
2 min read

NATIONAL SOCCER NEWS: www.nationalsoccernetwork.com

STORRS, Conn. — In a match where the box score didn’t quite reflect the balance of play, Connecticut United FC celebrated its first-ever home opener at Morrone Stadium. While the result was a 3-1 victory for Columbus Crew 2, the performance from the expansion side left the energized Storrs crowd with plenty of reasons for optimism.

CT United dominated the stat sheet, out-shooting the visitors 16 to 7 and forcing six saves from the Columbus keeper, signaling a high-octane attacking identity that Head Coach Shavar Thomas continues to instill in the group.

Crew 2 Capitalizes on Early Chances

The first half saw Columbus Crew 2 display a clinical edge that ultimately decided the match. Despite CT United controlling the tempo, Columbus struck against the run of play in the 17th minute when Zachary Zengue converted an assist from Kevin Gbamblé.

The duo combined again in the 40th minute, with Gbamblé finding Zengue for his second goal of the afternoon, giving the visitors a 2-0 cushion.

Monis Ignites the Comeback Effort

Refusing to let the home opener slip away, CT United found a lifeline just before the interval. In the fourth minute of first-half stoppage time, captain Alex Monis clinicaly finished a sequence to pull the score to 2-1.

The goal swung the momentum entirely toward the hosts. Out of the break, CT United pinned Columbus on the back foot for long stretches. The "Boys in Blue" generated multiple quality opportunities—including a crucial penalty shout that went uncalled—as they relentlessly chased the equalizer.

A Late Dagger Ends the Threat

As CT United pushed numbers forward in the closing stages, Columbus found the space to seal the result. In the 81st minute, substitute Oneal Taylor finished a pass from Alex Gimple to make it 3-1, effectively silencing the comeback hopes despite the lopsided shot count in favor of the home side.

Match Statistics

Stat	CT United FC	Columbus Crew 2
Score	1	3
Shots	16	7
Shots on Goal	7	3
Saves	0	6
Fouls	15	9

Looking Ahead

While the final score favored the visitors, CT United proved they could control play against elite MLS NEXT Pro competition. The team’s focus now shifts to their first road trip of the month.

Next Match: CT United FC at New York City FC II
Date: Sunday, April 19, 2026
Takeaway: Coach Shavar Thomas will look to refine the team's defensive stability to match their impressive 16-shot attacking output.

CT United FC Lineup: Anthony Ramos, Andre Applewhaite, Lukas Kamrath, Jahvar Stephenson (Richard Hauth 72'), Rickson van Hees (Reyniel Perdomo 72'), Steven Sserwadda (Dylan Lacy 87'), Robbie Mora, Alex Monis (C), Barnabas Tanyi (Cauã Paixão 72'), Ernesto Gomez (Daniel D'Ippolito 57'), Laurie Goddard.