MLS Minnesota United FC

Minnesota United FC at FC Dallas Preview

Published on February 24, 2023 under Major League Soccer (MLS)
Minnesota United FC News Release


GOLDEN VALLEY, Minn. - Minnesota United returns to Frisco, Texas for a rematch of last year's playoff game against FC Dallas, who ended MNUFC's season in Round One of the Audi 2022 MLS Cup Playoffs. The Loons lost in a penalty-kick shootout after 120 minutes of regulation and extra time play. In the regular-season contests last season between both squads, the series was split at one apiece. Victory came early for Minnesota when they defeated the Dallas squad 2-1 in May, but later saw a 3-0 loss at home in September. Minnesota United look to incorporate their new signees on the back line such as Zarek Valentin, Miguel Tapias and Mikael Marques. Along with returning players, MNUFC remains an impressively young team with 14 players under the age of 26, including recent additions of midfielder Joseph Rosales, defender Ryen Jiba and forward Cameron Dunbar.

ADRIAN HEATH ON HIS ASSESMENT OF THE CALIFORNIA PRESEASON

"I thought, between both boxes, we were excellent. I thought our defensive shape was really good. [We] have to improve in the final third of the field. I don't think, for the amount of quality possession we had in the final third, we had enough attempts at goal and create enough. That's something we'll keep working on. But in general, I was really pleased with the group. They looked sharp, they looked fit. That's the main thing. As I said to you before we went, is it nice to win every game? Yeah it is. It wasn't the fundamental issue there. Getting people fit, getting people prepared better mentally and physically for Dallas was the most important thing, and I think we're there."

MICHAEL BOXALL ON EXPERIMENTING WITH NEW FORMATIONS

"Bringing an extra man into that midfield just to lighten the load a bit for Robin [Lod] and Wil [Trapp]. Robin, I've said enough about how good he is in that role defensively and if we allow him to get higher up the field, can hope to fill some of the void not having Rey [Emanuel Reynoso] there will be. Just need to tidy a few things up and give the front guys a bit more confidence of hitting the back of the net."

DAYNE ST. CLAIR ON HIS LASTING IMPRESSION FROM THE PLAYOFF MATCH AT DALLAS

"Disappointing. I think we defended well, and to lose in penalties is never easy. I was disappointed with not being able to make a save, with my penalty history. So, I think we're definitely going in with a chip on our shoulder. We know that if it was a regular-season game, it would have been a tie, so we know that we can go down there and get a result. At the start of a season, getting a result early is very important." [READ MORE]

STORYLINES PRESENTED BY BMW

Minnesota United has done some great work strengthening their defense in the offseason. A lot of late-season difficulties for the Loons came from injuries and lack of depth in the back. In the first-round playoff match last season, Minnesota United's back line held firm, and goalkeeper Dayne St. Clair caused all sorts of difficulty for the Blue and Red.

It's the age-old question of offense vs defense. Which side can outlast the other? In order to win, MNUFC will need to score, of course, and the current absence of Emanuel Reynoso will certainly make things more difficult in that department. However, MNUFC has a lot of existing offensive talent. Robin Lod is a versatile and dangerous attacker, Bongokuhle Hlongwane and Kervin Arriaga are young and physical rising stars, and Franco Fragapane and Luis Amarilla have consistently made some great plays for the Black and Blue. The cracks in the Dallas defense will appear; they just need to be taken advantage of.

PLAYER AVAILABILITY REPORT:

Minnesota United

OUT:

B. Dibassy - Thigh

D. Henry - Thigh

R. Jiba - Knee

M. Marques - Ankle

E. Reynoso - Suspended

QUESTIONABLE:

N/A

MINNESOTA UNITED FC @ FC DALLAS

TOYOTA STADIUM | FRISCO, TEXAS

2.25.23 | MLS Regular Season | Matchday 1

7:30 p.m. CT (MLS Season Pass; MNUFC Radio on 1500 ESPN)

2022 Record

MIN: 14-14-6 (6-10-1 on the road)

DAL: 14-9-11 (10-3-4 at home)

Check out the Minnesota United FC Statistics

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Major League Soccer Stories from February 24, 2023


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