The Twos are back in Blaine this weekend, playing host to the Real Monarchs in their first head-to-head matchup of 2025. These teams have a history of producing intriguing showdowns, with both of last year’s meetings seeing goals from each side, including several late strikes, as well as early drama. It’s a rivalry in the making, and it’s coming to the National Sports Center this Sunday.
After their 3-1 loss to North Texas SC earlier this month, MNUFC2 officially hit the halfway point in the season, with 14 matches played and 14 still to go. While most teams in MLS NEXT Pro have already surpassed that mark, the Loons are just now beginning to catch up, and with two games in hand on most of the teams above them, they’re within touching distance of 5th place in the Western Conference.
A difficult stretch of fixtures has seen Head Coach Jeremy Hall and team pick up just six points in their last five games, including a pair of home wins. The visitors, on the other hand, are coming into this one with eight points from their last five games, including two wins against opposition higher up the table and a shootout victory. Both squads have unique boosts of form to rely on ahead of this match, with the Loons hoping to rekindle that positive home environment they enjoyed in their last Blaine contest.
Though they haven’t been quite as busy as the first team lately, plenty of MNUFC2 regulars got some valuable extra minutes this week against Holstein Kiel. There were too many Allianz Field debuts to list here, with the bulk of the minutes in the international friendly being played by the likes of Curt Calov, Momoh Kamara, Kieran Chandler, and several more second-teamers. They acquitted themselves well in this rare opportunity, handling the bigger stage and talented opposition with a professionalism that impressed.
With that confidence booster under their belts and another chance to play in front of the home fans, this weekend presents the perfect opportunity for MNUFC2 to get back on track and start the second half of their season strong. Come on out to cheer the boys on this Sunday at 3:00 p.m. for what promises to be an exciting midday matchday.
