Entering the match unbeaten over their last five outings, St Louis CITY2 (3-1-2, 12 points) will venture to the North Star State for a duel against Minnesota United FC 2 (1-3-0, 3 points) on Friday, May 3. Kickoff is scheduled for 6:00 p.m. CT, with the match streaming on MLSNEXTPro.com
In 2023, CITY2 and MNUFC2 met three times in the regular season. Minnesota won 3-1 to open the season series, and then the teams played to a 0-0 draw and 2-2 draw in their two subsequent matchups. It will be the sixth all-time meeting between the two teams, with MNUFC2 currently leading the all-time series 2-1-2. However, CITY2 is unbeaten in away matches against Minnesota, holding a 1-0-1 record in those contests.
CITY2 is coming off a bye week, but the team has been red-hot to start the season. Since dropping the opening match of the 2024 campaign, CITY2 has reeled off five consecutive results encompassing three wins and two draws. It is the third-longest active unbeaten streak in MLS NEXT Pro. The team’s defense has played a critical role in their current run of form, as CITY2 has only allowed three goals over their last five matches, which is the tied for the fewest goals the team has allowed over any five-match stretch in its history (June 4-25, 2022)
Mykhi Joyner and Caden Glover both opened their 2024 scoring accounts in CITY2’s last match. Joyner put the team ahead by slotting home a deflection off a corner kick, and then Glover padded the advantage with a strike in the 75th minute. Five different players have now scored for CITY2 this season.
Christian Olivares comes into the matchup with Minnesota having earned clean sheets in his last two matches. Among goalkeepers who have started three or more matches this year, Olivares has allowed the fewest goals (2) in MLS NEXT Pro.
CITY2 will look to continue its strong road play, as the team is off to a 2-0-0 start away from home thus far. Brendan McSorley netted the game-winning goal in a 1-0 victory against Austin FC II in Texas, while a strike from John Klein and an own goal helped CITY2 pull off a come-from-behind 2-1 win versus Sporting Kansas City II in Kansas.
Minnesota comes into the match following a 4-1 road loss to SKC II last weekend. It will be MNUFC2’s first home contest of the season, where they notched a 6-5-3 record (24 points) with a plus-zero goal difference last year. Four different players have scored for Minnesota this season, including a team-leading three goals from midfielder Carlos Harvey.
