The final of MNUFC2’s four consecutive road matches to open the 2025 season will see the Loons travel to Colorado this Thursday, and while such a long stretch without playing at home isn’t easy, they’ve handled it well so far. Actually, “well” might be a bit of an understatement, as the Twos have managed to take a perfect nine points out of their first nine available. Head Coach Jeremy Hall and the squad will be hoping to make that 12 out of 12 this week, but this could be their toughest test yet.
After starting the season with eight goals for and just three against in their first three games, the Twos are among MLS NEXT Pro’s most in-form teams. Wessel Speel has been fantastic in goal, Logan Dorsey (3 goals) and Darius Randell (2 goals, 1 assist) have been sharp up front, and the efforts of several first-teamers have helped this young group take shape and make waves in the early stages of the season.
Thursday’s hosts have likewise found some fine form, picking up 10 points from their first five games, nine in their last three alone. That puts them in third in the Western Conference, just a single point above the Loons. While Rapids 2 are above MNUFC2, though, the underlying numbers tell a different story. A goal difference of just +1 has seen them concede about as often as they score, and their 3-1-1 record has seen them come out on the wrong side of at least one scoreline. Sure, they’ve climbed the table, but with more games to grab points from, they’ve also shown that they’ve got weaknesses to be exploited.
Young forward Colton Swan has been a big part of his team’s recent winning streak, scoring three goals and adding an assist on his way to the title of MLS NEXT Rising Star of Matchweek 6, his second such honor across two MLS NEXT Pro seasons. Swan is just one of six different players that have already found the back of the net for Thursday’s hosts, though, meaning the Loons’ backline will need to remain vigilant if they want to keep this unit out.
With both teams riding three-game winning streaks and the Loons having yet to face defeat in 2025, this week’s matchup is shaping up to be a must-watch. The Twos have made their 3-4-3 formation work wonders across their opening three matches, but will the Denver elevation throw them off or help them fly even higher? Tune in for free this Thursday at 7:00 p.m. CT to see who comes out on top in this marquee matchup on MLSNEXTPro.com.
