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MLS Minnesota United FC

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September 9, 2022 - Major League Soccer (MLS)
Minnesota United FC News Release


GOLDEN VALLEY, Minn. - All it takes is one game for fortunes to change. After a busy week that resulted in two 3-0 losses for Minnesota United, there is a bitter taste overtaking the sweet sensations left by their previously impressive form. In the last five games, MNUFC have beaten two playoff teams in impressive fashion, only to end up losing to two different playoff teams a few weeks on. Their recent inability to score has seemingly come out of nowhere, while the dropoff in defense could be explained by the absence of Bakaye Dibassy. Additionally, the Loons will be without midfielder Franco Fragapane, as he serves a two-game suspension. With the regular season coming to a close, finding form this weekend will be more important than ever for the Loons.

ADRIAN HEATH ON SEBASTIAN BLANCO

"He [Sebastián Blanco] does the hard things the easiest way. He scores goals, he makes goals. His assist ratio to his opportunities in the final third is hugely, hugely impressive. If he has time and space, invariably, he'll show you he's a good player. That's not always the case. Good players, when they have time and space, show you because they pick their correct pass at the right time, the right weight and that's what he does. [Dairon] Asparilla always seems to come alive during this time of year. I think that Yimmi Chará has finally settled in and the kid, [Santiago] Moreno is now suddenly starting to look like the player they thought they were probably buying. They've got a lot of threats. We generally have good games... I always look forward to playing there and I'm looking forward to the weekend."

KEMAR LAWRENCE ON HOW THE TEAM WILL REBOUND

"At some point, you know we were going to lose one or maybe two, especially going into the, this is the end of the season. Everybody is oiled right now, everybody is ready. Everybody know their team and what their team is about and what they want by now. People are fighting to get into playoff spots. It's just about us just securing our spot. I don't feel like we're nervy. I don't feel like we're over-confident. I just felt like it was just five minutes that we were like 'Wow.' I don't think we need to do anything special. I just think we need to, if you watch the first half, just bring that same energy, that same enthusiasm that we had and take it from there."

STORYLINES PRESENTED BY BMW

BOUNCEBACK: Last week marked the first time since June that Minnesota lost consecutive games. Not only that, the two 3-0 defeats were their two heaviest defeats of the entire season. Prior to last week, the Loons had lost by multiple goals just twice all season, most recently in mid-May. The still-short stretch of adversity marks the first time since the middle of the 2020 season that Minnesota lost consecutive games by multiple goals, coincidentally including a loss to Dallas and a 3-0 loss. To take inspiration from that season, lest we forget, Minnesota found their way deep into the playoffs despite that rough moment. Following those two losses in late June and early July 2020, Minnesota finished the season 8-3-5 and was never again beaten by multiple goals that season. Many of the Loon' Storylines this season have touched on records broken or similarities to that notable 2020 season. Minnesota could look once more to that season for inspiration, even with just five games to go.

PLAYER AVAILABILITY REPORT:

Minnesota United

OUT:

B. Dibassy - Thigh (out for the season)

H. Dotson - Knee (out for the season)

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

C. Montgomery - Thigh

QUESTIONABLE:

B. Hlongwane - Knee

E. Reynoso - Ankle

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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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