The Tri-Texas Tournament continues this weekend, as MNUFC2 is set for their second of three matches in a row in the Lone Star State. This Sunday’s game against Houston Dynamo 2 will be a rematch of Wednesday’s match at Sabercats Stadium, and after being on the wrong side of a 4-1 scoreline earlier in the week, the Loons will be hoping to rally in this one to take some points home with them.
Wednesday’s game saw five academy players get the nod in the starting lineup, including Aidan Martinez, Tamer Ibsais, Dom Mawing, Anderson Farris, and Darius Randell. The remainder of the team was made up of MNUFC2 regulars, as well as first-teamers Jordan Adebayo-Smith and Moses Nyeman. The lone goal of the match came courtesy of captain Rory O’Driscoll, who converted the penalty kick he won in the 28th minute. From there, it was a less than ideal final hour of the match for the Loons, as an Ousmane Sylla hattrick powered the hosts to a comeback win.
Houston is in a similar position to MNUFC2, as both teams are currently on the outside of the playoff race looking in. Dynamo 2 are currently in 9th place in the Western Conference, while the Loons are sitting in 14th. Two games in hand could make their deficit much smaller, meaning that a playoff appearance for Jeremy Hall and the squad is not out of the question just yet.
While MLS NEXT Pro teams like these aren’t focused on winning silverware as their end-all-be-all, the pursuit of championships and playoff qualification is an important step in developing players that are ready to make the jump to the top level of the club. It’s a lower-pressure environment to teach players how to handle the professional game, and for Minnesota United this season, that has meant that plenty of Academy players have gotten a chance to see what it’s like to play at a higher level than ever before.
With just eight games remaining for MNUFC2 in the 2024 season, the young Loons will be looking to put their lessons into practice during this final stretch of the season. What began as an inexperienced, youthful group has grown into a far more experienced—albeit, still young—unit this season, and there’s no better time to find your stride than the business end of the season.
Sunday’s match will be the third meeting of the season between these two sides, with Houston coming out on top of each of the previous two. This match comes with the unique circumstance of being played in the same place just four days after the most recent meeting, which will certainly play into this result one way or another.
This weekend’s match is scheduled to kick off at 7:00 p.m. CT, with streaming available on MLSNEXTPro.com. Be sure to tune in to see how the Twos fare in their second Texas showdown, and check back here for information regarding their final stop in the Jumbo State next week.
