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MLS Minnesota United FC

Minnesota United FC at Philadelphia Union Preview

February 25, 2022 - Major League Soccer (MLS)
Minnesota United FC News Release


GOLDEN VALLEY, Minn. - After a Round One loss at Portland Timbers in the MLS Cup Playoffs, Minnesota United is back with a cross-conference matchup against Philadelphia Union, Saturday, February 22 at 12:00 p.m. CT. Game will broadcast on BSN, The CW Twin Cities and SKOR North. The Union return in 2022 hungry for a trophy after just missing the MLS Cup, losing to eventual-MLS Cup Champions NYCFC. The Loons will look to start 2022 hot, after adding more attacking depth than ever before with the return of Abu Danladi and Luis Amarailla, and the addition of South African-international Bongokuhle Hlongwane. With the defensive core back and a focused and fresh attack, the march towards the MLS Cup Playoffs begins at Subaru Park.

HEAD COACH ADRIAN HEATH ON WHAT'S BEEN MOST IMPRESSIVE THIS PRESEASON

"The work ethic of the group, everything we asked of them, we have had a tough preseason, we have probably worked harder than we have in the previous years, and their attitude to work has been outstanding. I thought in the second half against Viking FC, we looked like what we are. Played with a lot of intensity and determination and enthusiasm and all the words that we talk about. That's been this whole preseason."

FORWARD LUIS AMARILLA ON WHAT HE'S MOST EXCITED ABOUT BEING BACK

[SPA]: "Bueno lo más emocionante para mí, obviamente es, ser las cosas bien. Yo sé que no tuve un gran año el 2020, lastimosamente lo de la lesión, pero ahora estoy acá con la intención de hacer bien las cosas. Me refiero a hacer lo que prometí de ayudar al equipo, de marcar goles. Y bueno yo creo que lo deseos y la predisposición fueron fundamentales para poder estar acá."

[ENG]: "Well the most exciting thing for me, obviously, is doing things right. I know that I didn't have a great year in 2020, unfortunately with the injury, but now I am here with the intention of doing things right. I mean to do what I promised the team, to score goals. And well, I think I my aspirations and the history, they were fundamental to being able to be here."

STORYLINES PRESENTED BY BMW

NEW BECOMES OLD AND OLD BECOMES NEW -

While a focal point of Minnesota United heading into the 2022 season will be the effectiveness of its attack and relative goal-scoring ability, the eyes cannot help be drawn to the fact that two of the "new" members of the team come with unfinished business. Luis Amarilla, in his introductory press conference in February 2020, famously said, "One of the things I discussed with Adrian is that I promised him 25 goals, and I think that's something I can do." By that measure, 22 goals are coming this season, and Amarilla's 15 goals across all competitions in 2021, matched with good health and a goal in last Saturday's preseason finale, provide nothing but good vibes. Abu Danladi, meanwhile, returns from two years in Nashville and will once again seek to find the magic of his (and the Loons) debut season in MLS, in which he tallied eight goals in 27 appearances - a level of production he has failed to live up to since, with a total of just six goals over four years.

PLAYER AVAILABILITY REPORT:

Minnesota United

OUT:

P. Weah - Knee

QUESTIONABLE:

A. Danladi - Thigh

C. Gasper - Head

J. Hayes - Thigh

R. Metanire - Thigh

W. Trapp - Hip

MINNESOTA UNITED FC @ PHILADELPHIA UNION

SUBARU PARK | CHESTER, PENNSYLVANIA

02.26.22 | MLS Regular Season | Week 1

12:00 p.m. CT (BSN/The CW Twin Cities/MNUFC Radio on SKOR North)

2021 Record

MIN: 13-11-10 (3-7-7 on the road)

PHI: 14-8-12 (11-3-3 at home)

Check out the Minnesota United FC Statistics

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