Just five games remain in MNUFC2’s MLS NEXT Pro regular season, and after their exciting 1-0 win over The Town last weekend, your Twos are coming into the final stretch with some great momentum. The visiting Austin FC II team, on the other hand, is coming into this one off the back of some tough results. With these two squads sitting at eighth and sixth, respectively, in the table and separated by just one point, this Friday’s result could have huge implications for both teams’ postseason hopes.
Last Friday, the Loons beat out one of the West’s best behind Logan Dorsey’s third goal in as many games, as the young striker continues to rediscover the form that saw him start 2025 off so fast. A late second yellow for Alpha Kabia will see the young Sierra Leonean suspended for this week’s showdown with Austin, leaving room for the next man up to take his role.
Friday’s win helped the Twos to their sixth home match in a row without a loss, further establishing their ability to defend their turf as the season goes on. The marked improvement in the collective group has been on full display in recent weeks, with Academy players continuing to get meaningful minutes and several first-teamers getting opportunities for minutes as well. This is a trend that Head Coach Jeremy Hall will be hoping to see continue as his side comes up against an Austin side that will be just as hungry for points as the Loons are. After last week’s win, Coach Hall looked forward to the next challenge.
“I like the quick turnarounds because you can get right back at it,” he said. “Austin [FC II] is just right above us in the table. We’ve played really well against them as of late. I think it’s going to be a really good game. They suit us really well, and they’re going to have to go for it too because they need points as well. So we’re really excited for the game. I think, especially coming off a result like this, it’s going to be super exciting that we can build off this momentum.”
MNUFC2 beat Austin in Texas in their season opener this year, taking three points from a 1-0 win. They returned to Austin in May, coming away with a single point after a 1-1 draw. Though both games were tight, the Loons managed to get four road points from the Verde and Black, and given their recent home form, they should be confident that they can add to their impressive 2025 head-to-head matchup.
El Tree Dos are coming into Friday’s match with mixed form, having won just two of their last five, losing the remaining three. Form is on the home team’s side no matter how you slice this one, but all that matters is what happens between the whistles. Come on out to the National Sports Center Stadium this Friday for a 3:00 p.m. kickoff to cheer your Twos on to what could prove to be a crucial result in their playoff push.
