SKCII vs MNUFC2

Rock Chalk Park | Kansas City, Kansas

08.19.2023 | MLS NEXT Pro Game No. 23

7 p.m. CT (Watch on mlsnextpro.com)

After another hard-fought match that would end up being decided by shootout, the Twos will hit the road for Rock Chalk Park to face Sporting Kansas City II for the first time in the 2023 season. And, there will be plenty at stake for seeding within the Western Conference standings, with SKCII currently holding down the 4th spot, but only holding a two point advantage over the Twosies, who find themselves sitting in the 6th slot in the West. 

Last time these two clubs tangled was allll the way back on June 4 of 2022. The Twos would end up getting the W at Rock Chalk Park, with Diogo Pacheco’s goal in the 78th minute serving as the deciding score in the 2-1 victory. While plenty has changed for the Twosies since that meeting last June, Pacheco’s status as a scoring threat has not, as he still sits atop the club leaderboard for goals. But, he better be looking over his shoulder a bit if he plans on holding that category down for the rest of the season because after registering his 8th goal of the year against CITY2 last weekend, his mate Kameron Lacey has drawn even for the team lead. Either way, two scoring threats is better than one. 

If the the Twos plan to get another victory down in Rock Chalk country, they will need to rely on goalkeeper Fred Emmings to continue to step up in those big moments. Last match, after surrendering two goals in the first half against CITY2, Emmings showed resolve in the second half and was able to keep CITY2 out of the net and the score at 2-2 to force the shootout. Emmings wasn’t done making his presence felt, as his two clutch saves would make the difference for the Twos, and secure the 4:3 shootout win. That kind of performance from Emmings has happened on a more consistent basis in more recent weeks, which is a great sign for a club in the final stretch of their regular season and looking to lock down their spot in the playoffs. 

To watch MNUFC2 face Sporting Kansas City II, check out mlsnextpro.com to stream the match, with things getting kicked off at 7:00 p.m. CT.