Sports stats



Minnesota United FC

Minnesota United FC at Austin FC Preview

February 23, 2024 - Major League Soccer (MLS)
Minnesota United FC News Release


GOLDEN VALLEY, Minn. - Minnesota United begins its 2024 MLS season on the road at Austin FC this weekend. The Loons travel to Hill Country Texas with a core group of returning players on the roster - including attackers Teemu Pukki and Bongokuhle Hlongwane; midfielders Robin Lod, Emanuel Reynoso, Hassani Dotson; defenders Michael Boxall and Miguel Tapias and goalkeeper Dayne St. Clair - seeking to start the season off with a road result. Joining the returning pieces are notable newcomers like midfielders Caden Clark, Alejandro Bran and defender Victor Eriksson - all looking to positively contribute alongside their new teammates.

The invigorated Minnesota squad is set to take on a hungry Verde and Black team that struggled to get its footing in 2023. Both sides additionally failed to make the playoffs last year, so a result on the opening day of this new campaign is essential for either team come Saturday night.

INTERIM HEAD COACH CAMERON KNOWLES ON FACING AUSTIN FC...

"I think there's no better place to go to. It's going to be a great environment, going to be a great atmosphere. They're [Austin FC] a good team, very well coached, they like to play with the ball. So, it's going to be a really good test for us in a hostile environment. But, I think it does set up well for us, too, to have some success there."

INTERIM HEAD COACH CAMERON KNOWLES ON CONTAINING AUSTIN'S POTENT OFFENSE...

""If we're just leaning on that last game [of preseason versus Charlotte FC], we looked really balanced in the way that we defended. We picked good moments to press, we picked the right moments to drop off and be a bit more controlled and sitting a little bit deeper. That's going to be important there [at Austin FC]. Like we've been saying all preseason, if we decide to go, and we don't go together, then we're going to get burned. If we defend well together, whether that's on the front foot pressing the ball, or whether it's dropping off and sitting a little bit deeper, as long as we're together, I think we've got a really solid group."

DEFENDER MICHAEL BOXALL ON HOW THE TEAM CAN MANAGE THE AUSTIN FC ENVIRONMENT ON SATURDAY...

"Once you kind of walk out [onto the pitch] you see the lights, the fans there - it's almost easier to get up for those games when it's a big crowd. You do all you can to silence them. It'll obviously make things a bit difficult with us staying together and communicating, but I think Cam's [interim head coach Cameron Knowles] done a great job getting us cohesive and everyone working together. We're ready to go."

STORYLINES

For the Loons, 2023 was undoubtedly a down year, as it saw the ending of the playoff streak. However, a revamped sporting department and a slew of reinforcements in the locker room have changed the identity of the club in significant ways, ushering in a new era that will be defined during the 2024 season.

While the initial starting lineup will have many familiar faces, it's the bench and reserves that will be new to fans this season. Between their improved depth and the hiring of Khaled El-Ahmad, the Loons have redefined their playing style, with plans to bring more energy and intensity to their pressing strategy.

PLAYER STATUS REPORT:

Minnesota United

OUT:

B. Hlongwane - Not Due to Injury, Delayed Arrival for Green Card

E. Reynoso - Left Knee

QUESTIONABLE:

K. Arriaga - Right Knee

Check out the Minnesota United FC Statistics

• Discuss this story on the Major League Soccer message board...

Major League Soccer Stories from February 23, 2024


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

OurSports Central