MNUFC2 v LAFC2
National Sports Center Stadium | Blaine, Minnesota
7.16.2023 | MLS NEXT Pro Game No. 17
8:00 p.m. CT | Streaming on AppleTV’s MLS Season Pass
The streak of home matches goes on for MNUFC2 this weekend, as they welcome LAFC2 to Blaine for their third consecutive match at the NSC Stadium. Both squads could use a win this week as they seek to find something to boost their push toward the final stretch of the season.
After going on a three-match unbeaten run without conceding a single goal, the Loons are coming off a 2-0 loss to the Real Monarchs last weekend. Though the scoreline didn’t favor the home side, Head Coach Cameron Knowles noted the importance of learning and moving on after the match was over.
“Anytime you drop points at home, it’s disappointing, especially the way we started the game,” he said. “We had a really bright start to the game; we created some really good chances but didn’t take them. We made a couple of mistakes, and they [Real Monarchs] punished us for those. So it’s a disappointing result, and we’ve got to learn from that. It’s something that we’ve seen a little bit earlier in the season and not so much in the last two, three games. We have to move forward, take the positives out of the game and learn from those mistakes.”
Just as Coach Knowles said, his team had been in good form prior to Sunday’s loss. In their prior three matches, they earned two wins and a draw, scored six goals, and showed a general discipline and understanding of their game plan that saw them handle all three games well. If they can rediscover the composure that spurred their unbeaten streak, they should be optimistic about their chances to right the ship against a lackluster LAFC2 side.
Will Ferrell’s favorite MLS NEXT Pro side hasn’t quite lived up to their first team’s reputation this year. With just 11 points from 15 games, LAFC2 sits dead last in the league standings. Their 2-8-5 record has seen them lose all five of their shootouts and manage to score just 10 goals all year. The only silver lining to their season thus far is their relatively good defensive record, as they’ve conceded just 19 goals. Short of adding Carlos Vela to the lineup, it’s hard to imagine LAFC2 will find a whole lot of goals this weekend.
However, no opponent should ever be discounted, regardless of their history. Win streaks start with a single result, and both teams will welcome the beginning of a new trend this Sunday. Coach Knowles is planning to take last weekend’s lessons into a typical week of preparation as his squad looks to find their feet once more.
“I think we just go through the process that we do,” he said. “We reflect on the game, re-watch it, sit down with the team [and] talk about it. We’ve got a few guys back and a few guys healthy, and now there is competition for places. We have to evaluate what is the best group for the upcoming game and make sure that we get these points and we get back on track.”
With their above-average ability to create chances, MNUFC2 should have what it takes to break through LAFC2’s stingy backline. Add home field advantage to their efforts, and three points just might be in the cards for the Twos this weekend.
Kickoff is scheduled for 8:00 p.m. this Sunday, with streaming available exclusively on AppleTV’s MLS Season Pass.
