July 31, 2022 – MLS NEXT Pro (MLS NEXT Pro) – Minnesota United FC 2 News Release
GOLDEN VALLEY, Minn. — MNUFC2 will be playing at home for the first time in two weeks, facing Timbers2 in their first meeting of the season. Minnesota is coming off of a well-fought battle against Houston Dynamo 2, but a difficult 1-0 loss left the Loons with a strong desire to bounce back.
Timbers2 has struggled to find their footing this season; currently ranked 11th in the Western Conference, they are looking to gain some winning traction. MNUFC2 Head Coach Cameron Knowles is familiar with the Portland system, as he spent a total of nine years with the Portland Timbers club as a coach – three of those years as head coach for the Portland Timbers 2 side that competed in the USL Championship.
The Loons are currently ranked seventh in the Western Conference – just three teams and seven points away from playoff position. There are eight games left in the season and 24 possible points Minnesota could accumulate. Notably, with his four chances created against Houston Dynamo 2 last week, Aziel Jackson is now currently the league leader in chance creation with 41 key passes.
MNUFC2 hosts Timbers2 at the National Sports Center Stadium in Blaine, Minnesota. The game starts at 5:00 p.m. CT, and can be viewed by streaming at www.mlsnextpro.com.
Cameron Knowles on this week’s training following a difficult result at Houston Dynamo 2…
“They’ve [MNUFC2 players] been good and their attitude has been good. When we look at that game, managing that last part of the first half is the difference. But, we’re the seventh team they’ve took three points from, so it’s a difficult place to go and play. You have to give them credit, they’re a good team. The guys are hungry. They’re hungry for success in terms of results. We’ve said it from the beginning that it’s not really all about the results. Certainly they help and they drive motivation with the group, and you see it today in the way that they battled and were competing and running and fighting and are hungry to get back to their winning ways.”
Cameron Knowles on players who have improved in their individual growth in the recent weeks…
“We’ve got a few. It’s hard to single out just one or two of the individual players. When you look at it, Alec [Smir] has had to come in and play in games he wasn’t anticipating to be in, and he’s playing really well. AZ [Aziel Jackson] after the last game became the league leader in chance creation and…
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