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MLS Minnesota United FC

Minnesota United FC vs. LA Galaxy Preview

August 13, 2021 - Major League Soccer (MLS)
Minnesota United FC News Release


GOLDEN VALLEY, Minn. - Every team has its version of homefield advantage, but not all of them can boast what Minnesota United have. MNUFC yet again secured the bag against the Houston Dynamo in a 2-0 win featuring goals from midfielder Robin Lod and defender Brent Kallman last week, and they've now won three in a row at home and haven't lost at Allianz Field in their last seven. During that stretch, they've outscored their opponents 11-3. But now they face the LA Galaxy, a team they haven't seen since losing to them in the first round of the playoffs in 2019 and one they have never beaten. A win would not only count as revenge served cold but could push the Loons as high as fourth in the Western Conference in their quest for a top playoff seed.

ADRIAN HEATH ON THE RESULT AGAINST HOUSTON

"I thought the first 25 minutes were excellent. Then we just dropped a little bit. And, as I said after the game, I thought we played to the pace of the game rather than our pace. And I thought that let them back into the game a little bit and, give them a couple of little chances and give them something to hold on to, and maybe a little bit of belief. But, overall, I thought we were worthy winners in the end. And it keeps the run going. Some really, really pleasing performances. I'm looking forward to what's a big one this weekend.

WIL TRAPP ON FEELING MORE COMFORTABLE AT ALLIANZ FIELD

"Absolutely. There's just a sense of comfort and calm when we're here. Responsibility? I think absolutely. You have a full stadium, you have the fans that are wanting us to put a product on the field that excites them and I think we feed off that as players. We feel the familial idea and identity of this club when we step on the field. The results at home have been great as of late. We continue to push this thing forward and it's going to be, hopefully, no different against the Galaxy."

THE OPPOSITION

After a not-so-great season last year, the LA Galaxy have got their swag back. Forward Javier "Chicharito" Hernandez came back strong this season, with a total of 10 goals so far. Unfortunately, the Mexican forward is now out due to an injury. Trailing two points behind Western Conference leaders Sporting Kansas City, a win could vault the Galaxy past second place Seattle and into first . MNUFC have won three consecutive games at home and have not lost at home in the last seven. With so much on the line for a Galaxy team that missed the playoffs last year, they won't let their undefeated streak against the Loons make them take this game for granted as they vie for the top spot.

STORYLINE presented by BMW

HIT ME WITH YOUR BEST SHOT: Which brings us to a Minnesota United side that's developed a bit of a reputation as a vibe breaker. Back in 2019, Matias Almeyda took over the San Jose Earthquakes and installed his now-notorious aggressive man-marking scheme. It was fun to watch, but it also took a while to come together. By June of that year, though, the Quakes had become league darlings for their energetic, unusual approach and had ripped off six unbeaten, including a 3-0 drubbing of Zlatan Ibrahimovic's Galaxy. But on July 3, Minnesota United beat them 3-1 at Allianz Field. It took the rest of the league a while to catch on, but the Quakes only won two of their final 11 games, including losing their last five and ultimately missing the playoffs. That same year, LAFC had racked up five wins and a draw prior to welcoming the Loons to Banc of California Stadium. MNUFC played a cagey counterattacking game and came away with a 2-0 win - LAFC's only home loss in the regular season that year. LAFC went on to draw four of its six final games. And then of course, there was the 1-0 win over the Seattle Sounders earlier this year that snapped that team's record-setting 13-game unbeaten streak to start the season. Whether you chalk those results up to tactics, talent, luck, or some combination of all the above, the Loons have unmistakably shown a flair for disrupting and frustrating opponents in some high leverage moments. Look for them to do their best to do more of the same against the Galaxy this weekend, a team they've yet to beat in MLS.

FIRST TOUCHES: Robin Lod and Emanuel Reynoso both have active five-game point streaks going, tied for second-longest this season. Carlos Vela currently has the top spot with a completed six-game streak from July 3 to July 28. [READ MORE]

PLAYER AVAILABILITY REPORT:

Minnesota United

OUT:

Fragapane - Thigh

QUESTIONABLE:

Boxall - Thigh

Hayes - Hamstring

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Major League Soccer Stories from August 13, 2021


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