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MLS Minnesota United FC

Minnesota United FC vs. San Jose Earthquakes Preview

March 18, 2022 - Major League Soccer (MLS)
Minnesota United FC News Release


GOLDEN VALLEY, Minn. - Going into Sunday night, the Loons had not yet secured a win, while victories were all the Red Bulls knew. All of that was turned upside down with an absolutely dominant performance by none other than the MLS Player of the Week, Dayne St. Clair. The goalkeeper had eight saves (one of which was a PK save) to keep a clean sheet that pushed Minnesota to a 1-0 victory at Red Bull Arena. Up next, the Loons will be returning home with hopes of similar success against the San Jose Earthquakes. The Loons and the Quakes drew with scorelines of 1-1 and 2-2 in their last two meetings in 2021. So far, San Jose has been off to a shaky start with two losses and one draw under their belt this season. With the Loons rejuvenated from their first win and a home-field advantage, the Loons are in prime position to double their winning streak on Saturday against the Earthquakes who seem to still be searching for their footing.

ADRIAN HEATH ON THE SAN JOSE EARTHQUAKES

"It's never easy and never predictable with San Jose. They're a mixed bag. The first game against the Red Bulls [New York], the score line really didn't reflect the game. They had a lot more play in that game than people would've thought. Obviously, then they come and get the three-three against Columbus and played a man down. This weekend, they go to Philly [Philadelphia], which we know is never easy. We know what's coming. They're very very athletic. They play a certain way. They don't change an awful lot. They don't deviate away from what they're good at or what they believe they're good at. At times, they make it very difficult for you. We have matched up really well with them over the last few years. If we don't play and we don't treat them with the respect that they deserve, they've got a really good coach, highly thought of, and they will come in with a game-plan, so we have to be ready for it. If we play well, we've got more than enough to win the game."

BRENT KALLMAN ON PLAYING AGAINST FORMER TEAMMATES JÁN GREGUS AND FRANSICO CALVO

"I'm sure there's always a little extra on the line if you play against a former team. Those guys are definitely going to bring it. Jackson Yueill included. Hometown kid, he wants to put on a show for his friends and family, I'm sure. I think we'll get their best, which is good. It should bring out the best of us."

THE OPPOSITION

This weekend's match between the Loons and Quakes marks the 12th all-time meeting between these two. San Jose holds the historical edge with a record of 5-4-2 against Minnesota since MNUFC entered MLS in 2017, though Adrian Heath and the Loons have gone undefeated in six matches against San Jose since Matías Almeyda took over as head coach in 2019. In those six matches, MNUFC has compiled four wins, two draws, and a +11 goal differential. The history of these two teams is rife with chaos, goals (lots of goals), and classic back-and-forth battles. It should shape up to be another great one on a beautiful early "spring" evening in St. Paul.

STORYLINES PRESENTED BY BMW

CRY FOUL: A potential area of danger for Minnesota on Saturday is San Jose's ability to draw fouls. The Quakes as a team have comfortably drawn the most fouls of any team in the league through three games with 59, while Minnesota is tied for fifth most fouls committed in the league with 47. San Jose has also committed just 33 fouls themselves. While about a third of the league's teams have been fouled more times than they have committed infractions, San Jose's gap between the two numbers is by far the largest such gap in all of MLS. Only one other team in the entire league (Atlanta) has suffered ten or more fouls than they have committed. MNUFC players will need to be cautious of consistent fouls and the attached penalties, particularly knowing that two of San Jose's four goals thus far this season came from set pieces.

FIRST TOUCHES

Both San Jose and Minnesota already have a common opponent in 2022 - both have played at Philadelphia, with San Jose losing 2-0 last weekend and Minnesota drawing 1-1 in their season opener.

PLAYER AVAILABILITY REPORT:

Minnesota United

OUT:

C. Gasper

R. Metanire - Thigh

P. Weah - Knee (out for the season)

QUESTIONABLE:

E. Dick - Thorax

O. Fisher - Thigh

F. Fragapane - Thigh

MINNESOTA UNITED FC vs. SAN JOSE EARTHQUAKES

ALLIANZ FIELD | SAINT PAUL, MINNESOTA

03.19.22 | MLS Regular Season | Week 4

7:00 p.m. CT (BSN/CW Twin Cities/MNUFC Radio on SKOR North)

2022 Record

MIN: 1-0-2 (0-0-1 at home)

SJE: 0-2-1 (0-1-0 on the road)

Check out the Minnesota United FC Statistics



Major League Soccer Stories from March 18, 2022


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