
Minnesota United FC at Sporting Kansas City Preview
September 16, 2022 - Major League Soccer (MLS)
Minnesota United FC News Release
GOLDEN VALLEY, Minn. - Tuesday night, Minnesota United broke its three-game losing and scoreless skid as it played to a 1-1 draw against the Western Conference leaders, LAFC. The result was crucial for Minnesota's playoffs push, but Saturday's showcase against Sporting Kansas City will prove to be another test. The Loons have struggled in Kansas City, but have won when in big moments and look to ride momentum of the LAFC match along with the continued push to stay above the playoffs line to close out the regular season. With points being crucial in every match these next few weeks, can Minnesota claim its first regular-season win at Children's Mercy Park, or will SKC play spoiler on Saturday night?
ADRIAN HEATH ON SPORTING KANSAS CITY
"Everybody knows I've got a tremendous admiration for Peter Vermes. What he's done in a market similar size to ours has been extraordinary. It's just never been easy for us in Kansas [Sporting Kansas City]. We managed to go there a couple of years ago in the playoffs and win 3-nil. Apart from that, we haven't played well there, so it's going to be an important game for us. They look as though, if you look at their results of the last, sort of, month, they've picked up a lot of points. It's going to be tough but a game we can win if we play well."
BRENT KALLMAN ON HIS GOAL AGAINST LAFC
"It felt really good. Every time there's an attacking set piece, I have the belief that it's going to come my way, so I try to stay ready. It came in my area, I was able to make a play. I suppose it was an important goal for the result but also maybe to get us rolling now. We hadn't scored in a while so maybe that'll kinda kickstart something."
STORYLINES PRESENTED BY BMW
PLAYOFFS?!: A point on Tuesday against LAFC to break Minnesota's losing skid came in quite handy on Wednesday, as many results below them took friendly turns. The Loons sit fifth in the Western Conference on 45 points, above Portland on total wins. Nashville (fourth, 46 points) and Dallas (third, 49 points) are both still within reach with positive results, but let's look behind Minnesota. With losses on Wednesday, both Real Salt Lake (seventh, 43 points) and LA Galaxy (eighth, 40 points and a game in hand) failed to gain ground on Minnesota. With a win on Saturday, Minnesota can put an end to Kansas City's faint playoff hopes, and ensure they finish above Colorado and Vancouver (both of whom won on Wednesday) without help. They cannot clinch a playoff spot due to both Seattle (ninth, 39 points) and LA Galaxy having a game in hand, but a Minnesota win combined with losses by the Galaxy against Colorado and Sounders against Vancouver would put the Loons on the brink. In that situation, both Seattle and LA would need to win out, beginning with their games over the international break, to catch Minnesota. If both drop points, Minnesota is in. As always, the most important thing is three points to bring home to Minnesota on Saturday.
PLAYER AVAILABILITY REPORT:
Minnesota United
OUT:
E. Reynoso (Suspended)
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
R. Lod - Ankle
Major League Soccer Stories from September 16, 2022
- Four Atlanta United Players Receive National Team Call-Ups for September FIFA Window - Atlanta United FC
- Rapids at LA Galaxy: Preview - Colorado Rapids
- Colorado Rapids Academy Goalkeeper Adam Beaudry Called Up to U.S. U-17 Men's Youth National Team - Colorado Rapids
- LA Galaxy Name Shaun Tsakiris as LA Galaxy Academy U-17 Head Coach - LA Galaxy
- Called Up: Noah Allen and Benjamin Cremaschi Called up to the U.S. U-19 Men's Youth National Team - Inter Miami CF
- Injury Report: Two Absent, Two Questionable vs. Red BullsÃâà- New York City FC
- LA Galaxy Defenders Jalen Neal, Marcus Ferkranus and LA Galaxy Academy Forward Paulo Rudisill Called up for International Duty - LA Galaxy
- Four MNUFC Players Called up for International Duty - Minnesota United FC
- Sporting KC Hosts Minnesota on Saturday - Sporting Kansas City
- Edison Azcona and Israel Boatwright Called up to Dominican Republic U-20 National Team - Inter Miami CF
- Colorado Rapids Academy Product Adam Beaudry Called up to Compete with the U.S. Soccer U-17 Men's Youth National TeamÃâà- Colorado Rapids
- FC Dallas Faces San Jose & Can Clinch Playoff Berth in Penultimate Road Match of 2022 - FC Dallas
- Real Salt Lake Midfielder Braian Ojeda Called up for Paraguay Friendlies - Real Salt Lake
- Inter Miami to Face D.C. United on the Road on Sunday - Inter Miami CF
- CF Montréal Visits the New England Revolution Saturday Night - Club de Foot Montreal
- Match Preview: Atlanta United vs. Philadelphia Union - Atlanta United FC
- Informational Town Hall Event for Renton Community Scheduled for Wednesday, September 21 at Sounders FC Center at Longacres - Seattle Sounders FC
- GEODIS Preview: Nashville SC Travels to Texas for Rematch with Austin FC - Nashville SC
- Chicago Fire FC to Host Postgame Concert with Lunay at SeatGeek Stadium on October 9 - Chicago Fire FC
- Romell Quioto Called up by Honduras - Club de Foot Montreal
- Keys to the Match: Derby Day - New York City FC
- Orlando City SC Loans Forward Jack Lynn to San Antonio FC - Orlando City SC
- Colorado Rapids Loan Defender Sebastian Anderson to Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC - Colorado Rapids
- Real Salt Lake Back in Utah Saturday - Real Salt Lake
- EA Sports© Reveals Top MLS Player Ratings for FIFA 2023 - FC Dallas
- FC Cincinnati FIFA 23 Player Ratings Revealed - FC Cincinnati
- Five CF Montréal Players Called up by Canadian National Team - Club de Foot Montreal
- Caden Clark and Daniel Edelman Selected to USYNT U-20 Roster for 2022 Revelations Cup - New York Red Bulls
- Real Salt Lake Midfielder Diego Luna Chosen for U-20 United States Men's National Team - Real Salt Lake
- Orlando City Hosts Toronto FC on Saturday - Orlando City SC
- Fabian Herbers Undergoes Successful Season-Ending Groin Surgery - Chicago Fire FC
- Minnesota United FC at Sporting Kansas City Preview - Minnesota United FC
- New York City Football Club and Eight by Eight Collaborate on Commemorative MLS Cup Championship BookÃâà- New York City FC
- MLS NEXT Hosts Four Invitational Talent ID Events Presented by Allstate this Fall - MLS
- Two Sporting KC Players Set for International Duty - Sporting Kansas City
- Revolution Host CF Montreal on Saturday Night - New England Revolution
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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