MNUFC2 is riding this heatwave all the way to California for a midweek matchup against LAFC 2. Ninth in the West, the Loons have amassed 17 points through 11 games, two to four fewer than the conference’s top five teams. As the summer schedule ramps up over the coming weeks, they’ll have plenty of opportunity to climb.
The Twos have seen a mixed bag so far this summer, dominating Houston 4-1 but falling to conference-leading Ventura County just days later. Los Angeles, for their part, is coming off back-to-back losses, one at home and one on the road, and needs a return to the winner’s column to move up from their 12th-place spot in the West.
The Loons have demonstrated impressive depth lately. With fewer first-team players than usual joining the Twos due to schedule congestion and international call-ups, Academy players like keeper Kai Zeruhn and midfielders Aidan Martinez and Anderson Farris have been putting in some great minutes. Kipp Keller made his return from injury against VCFC, Alpha Kabia has been a regular in the midfield, and Luke Hille, Darius Randell, and Kieran Chandler continue to impress. Despite the home loss, the team is in good form under the strong leadership of first-team players DJ Taylor and Devin Padelford.
Minnesota have done well on the road this season, claiming points in every away contest so far. On the other side of the pitch, LAFC have lost only once at home, in an early June contest against Town FC. They have conceded more than they’ve scored, though, with a goal difference of -5 (in comparison to the Loons’ +5).
The two Western sides battle it out at Titan Stadium Wednesday, June 25 at 9:00 p.m. CT. Tune in on MLS Season Pass.
