Texas was so nice, we figured we’d go twice. Following their 1-0 win over Austin, the Twos are heading back to the Lone Star State for a showdown with Houston Dynamo 2, with hopes of keeping that winning momentum going another week. It’s a matchup that the Loons have traditionally struggled in, earning just two draws and six losses in this particular Texas tussle, but a new-look squad and a new year should give Head Coach Jeremy Hall and company confidence that they can change the narrative.
Last week, MNUFC2 left it late in their opening win, as Kisa Kiingi headed home the winner in the 96th minute to take all three points. Eight players made both their MNUFC2 and MLS NEXT Pro debuts, showcasing just how much has changed for the Loons. This week’s fresh squad was made up of MLS SuperDraft picks, Academy standouts, local talents, and a few first-teamers.
Just like the first team, the Twos lined up in a 5-3-2 formation last weekend. This pairs perfectly with the idea of the Pro Player Pathway, as the tactics employed at one level of the club should translate into the next, preparing players to take the next step in their career with confidence. Regardless of the results and the opponents, it is the development of these players that the club is most concerned with, though winning matches and playing high-quality soccer is a key piece of that development.
This weekend’s hosts have already played three games in 2025, earning a pair of high-scoring home wins to open the season and coming fresh off a 1-0 loss to Ventura County. With a goal difference of +5 after just three games, this Dynamo 2 side has demonstrated an attacking prowess that demands attention if the Loons want to avoid conceding their first goals of the year.
Several new signings have joined MNUFC2 in the last few weeks. While it’s unlikely these new players will feature this weekend, it’s encouraging to see the pieces of this team come together before the season gets too far along. With intriguing prospects across the pitch, it’s well worth tuning in to MNUFC2 this season.
Sunday’s match is set to kickoff at 8:00 p.m. CT at Shell Energy Stadium. This is notably two hours later than originally scheduled, so use that extra pregame time to get settled and get all of your snacks ready. Streaming has also been updated, with the match now available exclusively on MLS Season Pass.
