We’ve got another MLS NEXT Pro matchday coming to Minnesota this weekend, and this time we’re heading back to Rochester for year two of the Rochester Roadshow. The Twos are back at RCTC Stadium for a rematch against St. Louis CITY2 tomorrow, and with a good run of form at their backs, they’ll be feeling up for another crack at the team leading the way in the Western Conference.
Since losing to St. Louis 3-0 in early March, MNUFC2 have steadily made their way up a very crowded Western Conference table, putting together two wins in a row against Colorado Rapids 2 and North Texas SC the last two weeks to jump all the way up to fourth on 12 points. They remain the only team in the conference without a single draw this season, winning four and losing three of their seven total games in 2026.
The recent uptick in form has been powered by goals from Marcus Caldeira (brace against Colorado) and Dominik Fitz (74th-minute winner against North Texas). Both players are on first-team contracts, showing that the second team is doing exactly what it’s designed for: getting valuable minutes into players’ legs so they can prepare themselves to make that next step. On the other end of the spectrum, MNUFC Academy players continue to feature prominently in MNUFC2 matchday squads, with the likes of Anderson Farris (555 minutes) and Max Harwood (255 minutes) leading the way in minutes played this season.
As far as this weekend’s opponents are concerned, 2026 has been a resounding success thus far. St. Louis CITY2 are currently locked in a battle at the top of the table with Houston, riding an impressive 22 points from eight games. Their 6-0-2 record has seen them win both of their post-draw shootouts, stealing an extra two points and setting an absolutely blistering pace at the top of the league.
This success has come chiefly from STL’s ability to outscore their opposition, though their defensive record is impressive in its own right. With 20 goals scored and just eight conceded, they boast the third-best goal difference in the entire league, behind only a defensively superb Houston (two goals conceded, +15 GD) and a goal-crazy Crown Legacy (25 goals scored, +17 GD). They’ve seen nine different players hit the back of the net, led by the attacking contributions of Indiana University alumnus Palmer Ault (5 goals, 4 assists).
Needless to say, St. Louis is coming into this match with plenty of confidence, but your Loons have been playing some very efficient soccer of their own as of late. They’ll be looking to punch a hole in St. Louis’ perfect road record, continuing their march up the league table in their first match at the National Sports Center. Come on out to RCTC Stadium in Rochester at 3:00 p.m. CT on Saturday, May 2, to support the Twos as they take on one of the league’s most challenging sides.
