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MLS Minnesota United FC

Minnesota United FC vs. Sporting Kansas City Preview

September 15, 2023 - Major League Soccer (MLS)
Minnesota United FC News Release


GOLDEN VALLEY, Minn. - Minnesota United will host Sporting Kansas City at Allianz Field for a rivalry match, the 'Nicest Rivalry in Sports,' on Saturday night. Earlier this season, Kansas City defeated Minnesota at Children's Mercy Park 3-0 in May. Though Sporting have dominated against the Loons in Kansas - holding a record of 8-0-0 (W-L-D) in the all-time, regular season series - Minnesota has equally maintained a solid form at its home at 3-1-4 (W-L-D) amounting to 13 points against Kansas City all-time. The Loons continue to ride their seven-game unbeaten streak while Sporting was recently defeated by Inter Miami CF. At minimum, a point for Minnesota against Kansas City would match the longest regular-season unbeaten streak in club history (eight), which was set during the 2020 season.

HEAD COACH ADRIAN HEATH ON USING MOMENTUM IN THE MATCH AGAINST SPORTING KANSAS CITY...

"We do and we've done well against SKC at home, not so much on the road. It's going to be a huge game, I think it's a huge game for them as well. If they have any aspirations of getting above the playoff line, they'll see this as an incredible opportunity. It's like a six-pointer, like we always say, because the three for us would put us that much further ahead. Then we go to the [LA] Galaxy after who are in the exact same spot. We've got a huge week coming up. The players are in a really good space, a really good spot. We need our supporters this weekend like they've done all season. I think this weekend is one of those where everybody needs to bring their A-game, not just the players [but] the people that come to support us, and I'm sure they will."

DEFENDER MICHAEL BOXALL ON HOW THE MOMENTUM OF THE LATE EQUALIZER CAN TRANSLATE INTO THE WEEK AHEAD...

"If we'd have come out of that game with zero points, it's a massive disappointment. The principles of play that we had and the energy and control of the game, for the most part, was promising. But again, it's September, we've only got a handful of games left. We can't be promising, we need to be bringing home points to make sure that we're not waiting until the last day to solidify a playoff spot."

STORYLINES PRESENTED BY BMW

Storylines is excited to see some old friends again this weekend. When Sporting Kansas City comes to town this Saturday, they'll be bringing with them some of the league's most experienced players for yet another visit to Allianz Field. They're not "old," per se, but SKC's core certainly isn't composed of spring chickens; they've seen and done a thing or two, and American soccer is better because of their contributions. But as legendary Minnesotan Bob Dylan once said, the times they are a-changin'.

The heart of this Kansas City team has been relatively unchanged for the better part of a decade. Manager Peter Vermes is a club legend, having played for the Wizards from 2000-2002 and taking charge as manager in 2009. His time at the reins has been successful, to say the least, as he became the first person to win MLS Cup with the same club as both a player (2000) and a coach (2013). But behind every great manager is an equally great group of players they rely on.

PLAYER AVAILABILITY REPORT:

Minnesota United

OUT:

K. Arriaga - Knee

QUESTIONABLE:

M. Tapias - Thigh

SEASON-ENDING INJURY LIST:

R. Jiba - Knee

R. Lod - Knee

MINNESOTA UNITED FC vs. SPORTING KANSAS CITY

ALLIANZ FIELD | SAINT PAUL, MINNESOTA

09.16.23 | MLS Regular Season | Matchday 32

7:30 p.m. CT (MLS Season Pass; MNUFC Radio on 1500 ESPN)

2023 MLS Record

MIN: 9-8-10 (3-2-8 at home)

SKC: 8-12-8 (1-7-6 on the road)

Check out the Minnesota United FC Statistics

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Major League Soccer Stories from September 15, 2023


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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