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MLS Minnesota United FC

Minnesota United FC at D.C. United Preview

September 28, 2021 - Major League Soccer (MLS)
Minnesota United FC News Release


GOLDEN VALLEY, Minn. - MNUFC once again took down the Houston Dynamo on Saturday at Allianz Field and successfully added another clean sheet to their record. Robin Lod found the back of the net for the first time since returning from a calf injury and Ethan Finlay sealed the deal with a confusing, but much needed goal to make the final score 2-0. After securing two crucial wins and six points at home, the Loons now have another busy week on the road ahead of them. Up first, the Loons will face D.C. United for the first time since 2019. Each team sits in sixth place in their respective conference with 37 points on the season so far. Most recently, D.C. took down FC Cincinnati at home 4-2, making their record at home an impressive 9-3-0. With both teams angling for home field advantage in the playoffs, the Loons will need to make an immediate statement and leave it all on the field to secure a road win.

Training Assets available to download:

Head Coach Adrian Heath

Goalkeeper Tyler Miller

Midfielder Robin Lod

ADRIAN HEATH ON THE MOMENTUM GROWING AFTER TWO STRAIGHT WINS

"Well we knew it was a big week for us, playing against the Galaxy and Houston; two teams in our conference. We knew how important the game was with the way the league is - everyone jumping together around that playoff line. So we knew it was a big week for us. Now we have to continue it. Everyone is playing this week, it's a short turnaround for everybody. And we know it's going to be a difficult game in D.C."

TYLER MILLER ON D.C. UNITED

"They are a dangerous club. They have been able to string a lot of good results together and they have made Audi Field a very difficult place to play. We know probably going into those games that they are going to be one of the hardest teams, setpiece-wise, to go against this season. It's always difficult when you cross conferences and you don't play against these teams that often and you don't have a feel for how exactly they are going to play. Nonetheless it's a important game for us, for both teams and we know its going to be a battle going in there."

THE OPPOSITION

Beyond their identical placements and point totals, D.C. United and MNUFC have had strikingly similar records of late. In the last five games, MNUFC have gone 3-2-0 while D.C. United have gone 3-1-1. If you look a little closer into these games, D.C. United has a slight edge on the Loons. Each of their three wins were won by at least two goals while Minnesota blew out the Galaxy but just edged the Dynamo 2-1 at the end of August and were flattered by the 2-0 result of their recent game against Houston. D.C.'s loss was a tight 3-2 against Atlanta United while the Loons fell 1-0 to Seattle and 4-0 to SKC. Golden Boot leader Ola Kamara will need to be checked up top by a Minnesota defense that's been one of the best in MLS for most of the season. With two games this week - both on the road - the Loons would love to get an early lead and then shut it down away from home.

FIRST TOUCHES: Miller's goals against average leads the league among goalkeepers with at least 10 games played at 0.90 per game.

PLAYER AVAILABILITY REPORT:

Minnesota United

OUT:

Dotson - Knee

Gregus - Ankle

McMaster - Thigh

QUESTIONABLE:

N/A

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Major League Soccer Stories from September 28, 2021


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