MNUFC2 v Real Monarchs
National Sports Center Stadium | Blaine, Minnesota
7.9.2023 | MLS NEXT Pro Game No. 16
6:00 p.m. CT | Streaming on mlsnextpro.com
MNUFC2 had quite the exciting Sunday last week, with a 4-0 thrashing of Portland Timbers2 and a Player of Matchday 15 achievement for Kameron Lacy, after recording his first-ever hat trick for the Loons. This good form could not have come at a better time for the Twos, who have been gearing up for a midseason run in the hopes of climbing into playoff position. This weekend, MNUFC2 will be hosting Real Monarchs, and with a history of success against the team from Utah, things are looking good in their quest for three more points.
“We’ve just got to take it one game at a time, and for us really this is the start of the second half of the season,” said Head Coach Cameron Knowles. “We have to take care of results. We were fortunate in the way that we started the first half of the season with three good results, and if we can continue starting the second half of the season the same way, that’ll stand us in good stead. But, we just can’t get ahead of ourselves. We have to take pride in things that we did well and focus on the things that still need work. We’re constantly individually and collectively a work in progress and we just have to keep moving forward.”
The Twos are looking to take the next step forward in their success this Sunday. Things bode well for MNUFC2, as they have come out on top all three times they have played Real Monarchs over the club’s two-year history, including their 3-0 road triumph in March. However, this will not be a walk in the park for the Twos, who will be facing a determined Utah side.
Sitting in 12th place in the Western Conference standings, the Monarchs are desperate to enter the playoff conversation, and all it would take are a few good wins to get them there. After their 0-0 shutout of second place Austin FC II last week, they are proving to everyone, including themselves, they have the capability to do so.
MNUFC2 recently turned around their form as well, going from a bit of a losing streak to shutting out multiple teams and swiftly climbing the rankings into 7th place. That type of momentum shift will be hard for any team to stop, especially with the goal creation we’ve seen from the Black and Blue.
“I just think we have to credit the coaches; the coaches keep our heads up,” said forward Kameron Lacey. “We were going on a spell where we were losing like four games in a row, I think. And the coaches, every day, were coming in positive. When a result doesn’t go your way, you could always put your head down and be negative, but the coaches, the team came together today and said, ‘Listen, we are a family, families go through ups and downs. When we’re down, we push each other to go up.’ This is a result of us going up and up.”
Sunday’s match will be a fierce battle of wills and a competition that will be decided by who can wield their growing confidence more effectively. Let’s ensure that National Sports Center Stadium is packed with support as the Loons attempt to make this the third straight home shutout.
