We’ve got a second consecutive matchday heading to National Sports Center Stadium, as MNUFC2 are staying home to take on Austin FC II for the second time in just three matches this weekend. It’s their penultimate home game of the season; you’re not going to want to miss what is sure to be a tight affair.
When these sides faced off in Austin, the hosts came out the 2-1 victors in a match that got going rather quickly. A goal in just the seventh minute put El Árbolito up early, but not for long. A great connection between Britton Fischer and Darius Randell leveled the score once more just two minutes later, but an Austin strike shortly before the hour mark proved to be the winner. While the Loons didn’t get the result they wanted out of this close match, they showed that they can certainly compete against this weekend’s opponent.
Much like the first team, the Twos are entering the home stretch of the season, as playoff elimination scenarios are starting to take effect. A loss this weekend would end their postseason hopes, while a shootout loss plus some results elsewhere would likewise shut that door. As far as the playoffs are concerned, anything less than three points on Sunday won’t be enough to keep the Loons’ postseason hopes alive.
Austin currently sits in eleventh place in the Western Conference with 31 points from 23 games. They’ve got three wins, a shootout loss, and an outright loss in their last five matches, and their semi-strong 3-4-5 away record suggests that an unfamiliar environment won’t change their game too much. The Verde and Black are likewise on the outside looking in at the playoff picture, but with just a single point separating them from eighth place, they’ll be motivated to start their push now.
With Tamer Ibsais and Enrique Nieves away on international duty, Sunday’s squad will once again feature some fresh faces. Given the break in the first-team schedule, it’s likely that we’ll see some more first-teamers get minutes with MNUFC2 this weekend. Regardless of who makes up the lineup, the goal remains the same: keep the season alive.
Kickoff is scheduled for 2:00 p.m. CT, with doors opening an hour before kick. Come to the National Sports Center Stadium to cheer on your Twos, or check out the stream on MLSNEXTPro.com if you can’t make it out to the match.
