LAFC2 v MNUFC2

Titan Stadium | Fullerton, California

3.17.2024 | MLS NEXT Pro Game No. 1

3:00 p.m. CT | Streaming on MLSNEXTPro.com

MLS (NEXT PRO) is back! No, it won’t be back at the National Sports Center until May 3, but it’s got to start somewhere, right? MNUFC2 is set to travel to California for their season opener against LAFC2, and after a long offseason, the lads are itching to hit the pitch for year three.

This weekend’s opponent was one of the league’s weaker sides in 2023, finishing the year with a 6-15-7 record and just 25 points. The Twos faced LAFC2 twice last season, earning a 2-0 win in Blaine and a 1-0 win in California. Despite their underwhelming record, though, the Californians have a large pool of talented young players to call upon and a well-established route to the first team for those who stand out on this stage. There’s no doubt that they’ll be fighting hard to make this season better than the previous one. 

As for MNUFC2, last season ended with the squad just missing the playoffs once again. They will likewise be hoping to improve upon last year’s results, and better outcomes start with a commitment to even better preparation.

For most of the Twos’ roster, it’s been an extended preseason, with most of the squad returning to Blaine in January to train with the first team. This integration has seen the second team gain valuable fitness and experience, attributes they hope will give them an edge early on in the 2024 season. For forward Loïc Mesanvi, this opportunity even resulted in a chance to play with the first team on multiple occasions, appearing in MLS action against Austin and Columbus. 

Mesanvi joins the returning core of Rory O’Driscoll, Britton Fischer, and Molik Jesse Khan, as well as recent signings Finn McRobb and Kage Romanshyn. Goalkeepers Fred Emmings and Alec Smir return to hold things down between the posts. To fill out the rest of the roster, the player pathway will be in full swing this year, with players from both the Academy and the first team getting the opportunity to play valuable minutes.

After an offseason that saw several new faces join MNUFC’s sporting department in important roles, the impact of these arrivals continues to trickle down the club’s hierarchy, with the overall style of play and approach to the game shifting noticeably. In many ways, the same storylines that have already played out with the first team are now playing out with MNUFC2.

Similar to the roster makeup, the staff on the bench this week will include coaches from the Academy as MNUFC2 awaits the hiring of their new head coach. While the club decides how to permanently fill the position, Vice President of Youth Development Amos Magee, U19 Assistant Coach Alex Morawiecki, U17 Head Coach Justin Ferguson, and MNUFC2 Assistant Coach Jeremy Hall will step in to guide the team through the opening weeks. 

The season kicks off this Sunday, March 17, at 3:00 p.m. CT. Fans can stream MNUFC2’s first match of the season via MLSNEXTPro.com, as well as Major League Soccer’s YouTube channel.