This week’s MLS NEXT Pro “Game of the Week” features the “I 35-W” derby between Sporting KC II and MNUFC2. The two Western Conference Frontier Division foes will go head-to-head on Sunday, April 3rd at Allianz Field (2 p.m. ET).
This will be the first-ever meeting between the two MLS NEXT Pro clubs, but their first teams have history dating back to the 2014 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup where Sporting claimed victory over the NASL-era Minnesota United.
Sunday’s contest will feature multiple first-team players from MNUFC2 due to having only nine players signed to MLS NEXT Pro contracts while SKCII bolsters a roster of 18 MLS NEXT Pro players.
The match will stream live on mlsnextpro.com and be one-hundred percent free. Additionally, MLS NEXT Pro has teamed up with automated camera technology provider Spiideo to deliver live streams of all MLS NEXT Pro matches, ensuring every game this season will be available for viewing on mlsnextpro.com.
Minnesota United 2 is led by Head Coach Cameron Knowles, who has been with the club since 2021. Knowles came to the Loons organization after spending nine years with the Portland Timbers organization in various roles. MNUFC2 is tied with Rochester New York FC for having the oldest roster in MLS NEXT Pro, with the average age across the team being 23 years old.
A diverse nine-man roster, MNUFC2 has players from four different countries representing the team. In addition to their MLS NEXT Pro roster, the Minnesota United organization plans to send down players from their first-team on a weekly basis to compete in MLS NEXT Pro matches, including 2021 MLS first-round Superdraft pick Justin McMaster, who scored their lone goal opening weekend en-route to a 3-1 loss to North Texas SC.
Knowles told MLSNEXTPro.com that he’s thrilled to be able to have players like McMaster join the team, but he pointed out midfielder Jacori Hayes has been a real leader thus far.
“I think it’s great to have a balanced squad, I think that balance is really important and you need to have players that young players are learning from, and not just during the game, but the things that lead up to a game,” Knowles said. “The travel, how you conduct yourself in a hotel, a team meal, a team meeting … for some of these players, for the Academy players coming up or first time professionals, there's a lot of stuff that they need to learn that's going to help them get to the next level. So to be able to see that and show that from some more experienced players I think this is great.”
Coached by former U.S. International and MLS legend, Benny Feilhaber, SKCII has a local hero in charge of their MLS NEXT Pro side. SKCII played to a 1-1 draw to earn a point against Colorado Rapids 2 on opening weekend, but fell 4-2 in the ensuing shootout to give Rapids 2 an additional point.
Sporting only had one first-team player join the roster for its inaugural MLS NEXT Pro match in goalkeeper John Pulskamp, whereas MNUFC2 had multiple. Feilhaber sees no problem with it, though, as his side has prepared and appears ready to travel to the cold and frozen north to take on Minnesota United II.
“You prepare in terms of how the team plays. Whether we bring four or five guys from the first team or zero, our team is still going to play a certain style,” Feilhaber said. “For Minnesota, we watched their game on the Spiideo camera and have an idea on what they like to do, but it’s also based on what their first team does, but we’re not thinking about which players will be there because we just don’t know.”
MNUFC2
Aziel Jackson
Jackson was one of MNUFC2’s top performers opening weekend, getting in and around the box while being a nuisance to the defense. The attacking midfielder had five scoring attempts, with three of them being on frame; his XG+XA against North Texas SC was 0.93.
Justin McMaster
A 2021 first round MLS SuperDraft selection, McMaster is one of the players who will float between the Loons first team and their MLS NEXT Pro side. A talented winger, McMaster scored the lone goal en-route to a 3-1 loss against North Texas SC opening weekend.
Devin Padelford
A versatile left back, Padelford was signed to a homegrown contract by Minnesota United in early March. First team head coach Adrian Heath described him as a “talented left back” when the signing was announced.
Sporting KC II
Collin Fernandez
The SKCII captain scored a cheeky panenka penalty kick during the shootout from the spot while playing all 90 minutes in the club’s inaugural match. The 25-year-old midfielder brought veteran leadership to the pitch with over 100 USL Championship appearances under his belt. The heart of the midfield.*
Tijani Fatah
The SKCII goal-scorer from week one, Fatah is a 19-year-old winger who came off the bench to level for his side in a late second-half cameo. Following his week-one heroics, he may have earned himself a spot in the Starting XI this week. Head coach Benny Feilhaber said he is “unique” and “the best dribbler on the team” following the match with Rapids 2 last weekend.*
Bakary Bagayoko
The 23-year-old forward had two scoring attempts in week one against Colorado Rapids 2 but failed to register either attempt on net. Feilhaber’s choice up top, look for the SKCII striker to try and find the back of the net against MNUFC2 on Sunday.
