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MLS Minnesota United FC

Minnesota United FC vs. Austin FC Preview

August 19, 2022 - Major League Soccer (MLS)
Minnesota United FC News Release


GOLDEN VALLEY, Minn. - When Austin FC come to town this weekend, it will be a battle of two of the Western Conference's best teams, with the visitors in second place and the Loons in fourth. Both squads are coming off of exciting wins and will be riding that momentum before this match. The Loons return to Allianz Field after a gritty road win against Nashville and have only one loss in their last nine games. Austin, however, have found their form and settled in as a team after a difficult expansion season, playing fast and with a lot of confidence as they chase LAFC for the Supporters' Shield. The Minnesota backline will be tested by the likes of Sebastian Driussi and former Loon Ethan Finlay, but so will the Austin defense as the Loons attack has clicked, scoring 13 goals in their last five games.

ADRIAN HEATH ON THE BOUNCEBACK WIN AGAINST NASHVILLE

"The group were terrific. I knew before the game it was going to be a difficult place to go and get a result. Especially the fact that [Nashville] lost the previous week to Toronto. You could see the, not desperation, but you could see the fact that they realized how big the game was. I knew it was going to be difficult in terms of we're going to have to defend for long periods and I thought we did that really well."

DAYNE ST. CLAIR ON HIS ALL-STAR GAME PERFORMANCE FUELING HIS FIRE

"I think you want to be able to build on all your performances and improve in every game whether you play bad or good. I know coming off of Colorado that definitely was not my best performance. Probably my worst of the season for sure, so to be able to have the MVP performance in the All-Star Game and then to be able to build upon that and go again for the club is most important."

OPPONENT BREAKDOWN - AUSTIN FC

All season long, Austin FC have played fast. There's scarcely a dull moment when Los Verdes take to the pitch, as their high-energy approach to the game is sure to catch the opponent off-guard, at the cost of leaving their own defense exposed at times. A lineup filled with MLS veterans has shown the value of experience, catapulting them into the Supporter's Shield race. Golden Boot leader Sebastian Driussi is always a threat to score, but the supporting cast has proven more than capable as well. After coming back from 1-3 down against Sporting KC to win their last game 4-3, the Oaks will be filled with belief and a never-say-die attitude when they enter Allianz Field.

STORYLINES PRESENTED BY BMW

GOLDEN: After last week's triumphant trip to Nashville - a success despite allowing a goal to Golden Boot contender Hany Mukhtar - Minnesota faces the top of the pile, as Austin's Sebastián Driussi, scorer of a league-best 17 goals this season, comes to Allianz Field for the first time this season. Driussi did not score in the first meeting between these two clubs this season, a 1-0 Austin win in Texas, and had just begun to show the form that would push him into the front of the conversation for MLS MVP. Minnesota and Austin's first meeting was each club's sixth match of the year. At the time, Driussi had four goals through five games: notable, but not dominant. Since, Driussi has scored a whopping 13 goals, including six in Austin's last four games, with at least one goal in each game, capped by the dramatic 96th minute game winner to complete Austin's 4-3 comeback over Sporting Kansas City last weekend. Austin's complete attack, tied for the best in MLS, is a massive threat, but Driussi is the tip of the spear, and containing him must be Minnesota's top priority.

PLAYER AVAILABILITY REPORT:

Minnesota United

OUT:

H. Dotson - Knee (out for the season)

N. Hansen - Ankle

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

R. Metanire - Thigh

P. Weah - Knee

QUESTIONABLE:

K. Lawrence - Knee

MINNESOTA UNITED FC vs. AUSTIN FC

ALLIANZ FIELD | SAINT PAUL, MINNESOTA

08.20.22 | MLS Regular Season | Week 26

7:00 p.m. CT (BSN, The CW Twin Cities; Radio on 1500 ESPN)

2022 Record

MIN: 11-9-5 (5-3-4 at home)

ATX: 14-5-6 (8-3-2 on the road)

Check out the Minnesota United FC Statistics



Major League Soccer Stories from August 19, 2022


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