MLS Minnesota United FC

Minnesota United FC at Colorado Rapids Preview

Published on August 5, 2022 under Major League Soccer (MLS)
Minnesota United FC News Release


GOLDEN VALLEY, Minn. - After a wild 4-4 draw to Portland that extended MNUFC's unbeaten streak to seven games, the Loons will now fly out to Colorado looking for eight. In their first two meetings this season, the Loons have swept the Rapids with 3-1 and 2-1 victories, the latter in the U.S. Open Cup. Last season, the roles were reversed with Colorado winning all three meetings and finishing first in the Western Conference. This season, Colorado has struggled to see the same success as they now sit in 12th place while the Loons are in third. With the two wins Minnesota has already secured this season, the all-time standings between Minnesota and Colorado now sits at 6-2-6. In order for the Loons to secure a clean sweep of the Rapids for 2022, they will need to maintain their momentum up top and lock down defensively to keep the likes of Diego Rubio at bay.

ADRIAN HEATH ON THE UPCOMING MATCH AGAINST COLORADO

"We'll have a little look. Obviously tonight we'll have a good opportunity to get a good study of them. They've changed their shape a little bit of late. They've been playing a three for quite a while and now they've gone back to a back four again, so that presents other challenges. They've got probably an extra man forward then they used to have before, but we know going into Colorado is never easy, you know the altitude, etc. There's no easy games. If we play well we'll have a chance to win. If we don't, it will be difficult."

ALAN BENITEZ ON WHAT HE SEES IS HIS ROLE IN THIS TEAM

[SPA] "Creo que voy a tener un rol muy importante porque el equipo juega mucho por las bandas, por mi lado, por los dos lados y por eso tengo que estar muy bien preparado físicamente para todos los partidos."

[ENG] "I think I will have an important role because this team plays with the fullbacks a lot, on my side, on both sides and so I'll have to be very well prepared physically for each match."

OPPONENT BREAKDOWN - COLORADO RAPIDS

While Colorado put on a show against NYRB, they have done nothing to suggest that this form will continue. If they can find a way to sustain it, then they may be a force to be reckoned with for the rest of the season, but all signs point to their rollercoaster season continuing on. On the other hand, Minnesota United will have a very thin squad on this trip, between injuries and yellow card suspensions. This one is set to be interesting, and possibly season-defining for Colorado.

STORYLINES PRESENTED BY BMW

GOALS, GOALS, GOALS: Much has been written on the pages of this website about the insanity of Minnesota's 4-4 draw with Portland from the weekend. Among other things, it featured the most combined goals in a Loons game since August 2019, and was the third game in Minnesota's MLS history to feature eight combined goals, tying the team record. One might think that Colorado would be a reprieve from such craziness; the Rapids had gone the entire season without either scoring or allowing more than three goals in a match, and had not played in a match featuring more than five combined goals.... Until Tuesday. The Rapids went to New York Red Bulls and battled to an even crazier 5-4 road victory, a game which featured five first-half goals and four more within the game's final 15 minutes plus stoppage time. With both Minnesota and Colorado coming off their most explosive matches of the season, could we see more fireworks on Saturday night?

FIRST TOUCHES

Kervin Arriaga and Bryan Acosta have played significant time together in midfield for the Honduran national team.

PLAYER AVAILABILITY REPORT:

Minnesota United

OUT:

M. Boxall - Suspended

R. Lod - Suspended

E. Reynoso - Suspended

H. Dotson - Knee (out for the season)

J. Hayes - Lower Leg (out for the season)

R. Metanire - Thigh

T. Oluwaseyi - Thigh

W. Trapp - Thigh

P. Weah - Knee

QUESTIONABLE:

K. Arriaga - Ankle

08.06.22 | MLS Regular Season | Week 24

8:00 p.m. CT (BSN & The CW Twin Cities; Radio on 1500 ESPN)

2022 Record

MIN: 10-8-5 (5-5-1 on the road)

COL: 7-9-6 (6-2-3 at home)

Check out the Minnesota United FC Statistics

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Major League Soccer Stories from August 5, 2022


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.

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