Well, the USMNT may not have any more games for you to watch this summer … but MNUFC2 does! The boys are back in action this weekend, as they’re set to take on Austin FC for the third time in 2026. The Loons got the better of them in this year’s season-opener back in March, but after building up a head of steam, this weekend’s hosts will be looking to reverse that result in resounding fashion.
The Twos are in the midst of a bit of a mixed period since earning their big 5-2 win over St. Louis in mid-June. A pair of losses to LAFC and Houston have seen the Black and Blue shut out twice after that scoring explosion, with a 2-2 draw against Tacoma their most recent result. They won the ensuing shootout to make it two points out of a possible nine since taking down STL, but the boys will feel that they’ve missed an opportunity to climb a tight Western Conference table over the last few weeks, with three teams sitting within just three points of your Loons in seventh.
A little further up the table — six places, to be precise — you’ll find this weekend’s opponents, and what a season they’re having.
Aside from a couple shootout losses and that season-opening loss to MNUFC2, Austin FC II hasn’t dropped points this season. At all. They boast a commanding lead in the Western Conference table with 40 points from 16 games, and they’ve won each of their last 10 fixtures. They’ve scored 34 goals and allowed just 13, giving them the second best goal difference in the league (Houston is first with +22). This squad is firing on all cylinders, and they don’t look like they’ll be slowing down any time soon.
Luckily, June’s MLS NEXT Pro Player of the Month Marcus Caldeira has already proven himself capable of breaking down Austin’s staunch defense, having hit a hat trick in the first game of the season. Head Coach Fanendo Adi will need him to be at his best yet again in this massive showdown, as he and his squad look to lock down a playoff spot and start working their way up the standings.
Aside from Caldeira, keep an eye on Austin’s Jorge Alastuey, who’s already bagged seven goals and two assists this season for El Arbolito. (That’s a nickname I gave Austin FC II, not in any way an official name from their organization. I think they use that for a youth tournament instead actually.) Defender Evan Watt leads Austin in minutes played at 1,394, while midfielder Luciano Pechota continues to lead the Loons with 1,495.
With a slew of regular contributors and Academy players ready to step in, your Loons should feel capable of pulling off what they accomplished earlier this season at Parmer Field. Stream this Sunday’s match on MLSNEXTPro.com, with kickoff scheduled for 7:30 p.m. CT.
