MLS Minnesota United FC

Minnesota United FC at Real Salt Lake Preview

Published on August 30, 2022 under Major League Soccer (MLS)
Minnesota United FC News Release


GOLDEN VALLEY, Minn. - At this stage of the season, every game is a must win. MNUFC will look to test the depth of the squad with a Wednesday night match-up at Real Salt Lake, especially with a home game against FC Dallas just three days later. After a crucial comeback win over Houston, the Loons will look to maintain their top road form and secure their seventh road win of the season against an RSL team just five points behind. The Cobalt and Claret came away with a draw against Dallas over the weekend with a goal from Anderson Julio in the 69th minute. They came back to earn the draw, but the result still pushed them down the playoff standings to sixth, so they'll be looking to make up some ground with their fans behind them in the midweek.

ADRIAN HEATH ON THE PLEASING ASPECT OF THE WIN AGAINST HOUSTON

"The fact that they kept going. They kept trying to win the game. When you're not playing particularly as well as we have been. I was really pleased with it. The sort of effort to actually go and try and get the win rather than just go 'It's one of them days where we'll take a point and move on.' The fact that they were still continually driving towards the end was really pleasing."

BRENT KALLMAN ON REAL SALT LAKE

"Obviously, they're very good. When you're playing against a team coached by Pablo [Mastroeni], they're never going to quit. They're always going to fight. They're gonna make us earn everything that comes to us. We've got to be a lot more disciplined. We're just going to have to be smart about it. It's a tough environment always when you're playing at altitude and then you add in the heat. It's going to have to be everybody on the same page and everybody doing their jobs. It might be another gritty one."

STORYLINES PRESENTED BY BMW

IMPLICATIONS: It would be improper to investigate this game without inspecting its significant impact on the Western Conference playoff race for both Minnesota and Salt Lake. The Loons sit third in the Western Conference with 44 points after their comeback 2-1 victory over Houston at the weekend, while Salt Lake are sixth with 39 points, behind Nashville on goal difference after their 1-1 draw with Dallas on Saturday. Both clubs have seven matches remaining in the MLS regular season. Should Minnesota get the victory on Wednesday, they would have an eight-point lead over Salt Lake with just six matches remaining for each, an impressive cushion. Even should the Utah side win, reducing their deficit to just two points, they have the more difficult remaining schedule, with road matches remaining against the West's top two teams. Minnesota, meanwhile, only faces two (current) playoff teams in their final six games, both in the friendly confines of Allianz Field. Needless to say, both teams will crave the full points from this match, for so many reasons.

PLAYER AVAILABILITY REPORT:

Minnesota United

OUT:

B. Dibassy - Thigh (out for the season)

E. Dick - Back

H. Dotson - Knee (out for the season)

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

K. Lawrence - Knee

C. Montgomery - Thigh

QUESTIONABLE:

N. Kibunguchy - Knee

MINNESOTA UNITED FC @ REAL SALT LAKE

RIO TINTO STADIUM | SANDY, UTAH

08.31.22 | MLS Regular Season | Week 28

8:30 p.m. CT (BSN, The CW Twin Cities; Radio on 1500 ESPN)

2022 Record

MIN: 13-9-5 (6-6-1 on the road)

RSL: 10-8-9 (7-2-4 at home

Check out the Minnesota United FC Statistics

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Major League Soccer Stories from August 30, 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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