Having picked up two points against Colorado Rapids 2 their last time out, CITY2 returns to CITYPARK this weekend for a clash against Whitecaps FC 2. This weekend’s match begins at 5:00 p.m. CT, and it will be televised on MLS Season Pass on the Apple TV app.
This will be the third all-time meeting between the two teams, as they met twice last season. Whitecaps FC 2 claimed a close 2-1 road victory over CITY2 when they first met last May, but CITY2 returned the favor with a decisive 4-1 win when they traveled to Vancouver, Canada, later in August.
CITY2 enters the matchup coming off their best result since Matchday 1. The team pressed their then-undefeated opponents from the first kick, forcing turnovers and creating opportunities to send shots on frame. Both forward Caden Glover and midfielder Max Schneider sent high-quality shots towards goal, but neither of them found the back of the net. As the game progressed, Colorado Rapids 2 began putting together dangerous chances of their own, but CITY2 goalkeeper Christian Olivares’ clinical performance kept them off the board. After playing to a 0-0 draw and earning a point, CITY2’s Mykhi Joyner put home the decisive shot in shootouts to secure an additional point.
Olivares’ four saves last week brought his season total to sixteen (16), fifth-most in MLS NEXT Pro. Forward Aziel Jackson won four more duels, bringing his team-leading season total to forty-nine (49), while midfielder John Klein added two more key passes to tie him with Jackson as the team’s leader in that category (7).
Winning with a commanding 5-2 scoreline against Minnesota United FC 2 last week, Whitecaps FC 2 enter this weekend’s contest 3-1-1, good for third in the Western Conference. They lead MLS NEXT Pro in goals scored (15), and their plus-six goal differential is tied with Colorado Rapids 2 for best in the league. Still searching for their first win, CITY2 will look to add three points by handing the visiting side their first road loss of the year.
