ICYMI: Former Loons clash in the CONCACAF Champions Cup and abroad
The midweek action delivered another wild ride for our former Loons scattered across the globe! With the 2026 CONCACAF Champions Cup officially kicking off, we had alumni right in the thick of the high-stakes continental drama. Kevin Molino captained his side against heavy MLS opposition, Johan Venegas provided a crucial spark off the bench in Costa Rica, and Aziel Jackson made his highly anticipated debut for Vancouver.
Meanwhile, the domestic league battles raged on. Tani Oluwaseyi helped lock down a massive La Liga road victory in Spain, and Sam Nicholson put in another gritty, physical shift during cup action over in Scotland. Whether you were stuck at work during the early afternoon kickoffs or couldn’t stay awake for the late-night Champions Cup shootouts, we have you covered. Here is the complete rundown of how every former Minnesota United player performed over the past few days!
Wednesday, Feb. 18
Oluwaseyi helps close out a narrow victory; Arriaga suspended
Tani Oluwaseyi was called upon in the dying moments of Villarreal’s 1–0 away victory against Levante. Entering the match in the 89th minute, the forward provided a physical presence to help relieve defensive pressure, winning both of his aerial duels and recording two headed clearances to secure the clean sheet and the crucial three La Liga points.
Kervin Arriaga was unavailable for selection. The Honduran international missed the midweek clash while serving a suspension after picking up a red card over the weekend.
Nicholson logs a physical late cameo
Sam Nicholson entered the pitch in the 80th minute for Motherwell as they chased an equalizer in the FA Cup against Aberdeen. The Scottish winger was highly involved during his brief nine-minute shift, completing a dribble and pushing into the final third, while also putting in a massive defensive effort by winning all five of his ground duels. Despite his spark, Motherwell was unable to find the back of the net and fell 2–0.
Molino endures a heavy continental defeat in CONCACAF Champions Cup
Kevin Molino captained Defence Force F.C. and played the full 90 minutes in the midfield as his side hosted the Philadelphia Union in the CONCACAF Champions Cup. While the veteran playmaker completed 10 passes into the final third and won four ground duels, Defence Force was ultimately overwhelmed by the MLS side, suffering a heavy 5–0 defeat in the first leg.
Venegas provides an attacking spark off the bench in CONCACAF Champions Cup; Jackson makes Whitecaps debut; Zendejas left on bench
Johan Venegas entered the match in the second half for CS Cartaginés as they battled the Vancouver Whitecaps to a 0–0 draw in Champions Cup action. Logging 24 minutes, the veteran striker completed both of his dribble attempts—the most of any player in the match—and won four of his five ground duels to help his side secure a result ahead of the second leg.
Aziel Jackson logged 45 minutes for the Whitecaps. The young attacking midfielder was highly accurate with his distribution, completing 13 of his 14 pass attempts for a 93 percent completion rate, while also registering a blocked shot and pushing three passes into the final third. Backup goalkeeper Adrian Zendejas did not see the pitch for Vancouver.
Thursday, Feb. 19
Ramirez hunts for away goals in Panama in CONCACAF Champions Cup
Christian Ramirez started and played 58 minutes up top for the LA Galaxy as they kicked off their CONCACAF Champions Cup campaign against Sporting San Miguelito. The veteran forward recorded 17 touches, including two inside the opposition box, and made six passes into the final third before being substituted in a match that ultimately ended in a 1–1 draw.
