MLS Minnesota United FC

Minnesota United vs Vancouver Whitecaps Match Preview

Published on May 5, 2023 under Major League Soccer (MLS)
Minnesota United FC News Release


GOLDEN VALLEY, Minn. - After a draw against FC Dallas at home, Minnesota United enters Matchday 11 looking for their fourth win of the season. A victory in Canada could mean MNUFC earns the best record on the road in the Western Conference. Both sides met earlier this season at Allianz Field, ending in a 1-1 draw after a late goal from Simon Becher in the 98th minute of the match. Both squads were missing key players due to international duty but will be at full strength on Saturday night. Minnesota leads the all-time matchups with Vancouver, but the club is 2-3-1 (W-L-D) at BC Place, winning for just the second time there last season. The Loons need to secure all three points against the Whitecaps to break their streak of four weeks without a win.

ADRIAN HEATH ON IF THE VANCOUVER WHITECAPS GAME WILL BE A REVENGE MATCH

"I don't know about revenge and all. We've had a couple of good results there [Vancouver] over the last few years; it's been a kind venue to us. So, let's hope it continues. I think they're playing really well at the moment. I thought they were very unfortunate at the weekend not to win the game. It's always going to be tough there. They have some good attacking pieces, you know Brian White, obviously [Ryan] Gauld as well, Julian Gressel. So, they've got some good weapons. It's always tough and I don't expect anything different this weekend."

DAYNE ST. CLAIR ON HAVING ONLY CONCEDED THREE GOALS ON THE ROAD...

"I don't know about revenge and all. We've had a couple of good results there [Vancouver] over the last few years; it's been a kind venue to us. So, let's hope it continues. I think they're playing really well at the moment. I thought they were very unfortunate at the weekend not to win the game. It's always going to be tough there. They have some good attacking pieces, you know Brian White, obviously [Ryan] Gauld as well, Julian Gressel. So, they've got some good weapons. It's always tough and I don't expect anything different this weekend."

STORYLINES PRESENTED BY BMW

Storylines is back from the future and, good news, there looks to be goals there. And no, it wasn't an alternate 2023. It was this season's timeline, and it was our Loons...and we were happy (*single tear*). After a rather maddening matchup with FC Dallas in which plenty of opportunity knocked on the door, but the squad just wasn't able to answer with scores, it's time to rip off the rearview mirror on this Delorean and head even more North than our version of North, as the Loons take on Vancouver Whitecaps for a second time in 2023.

Saturday night at BC Place will see a matchup between clubs on opposite ends of the spectrum from the last time they met, as the Whitecaps are on a five-game unbeaten streak in regular season action while the Loons are hoping to put an end to a four-game winless streak in MLS play.

But, a closer look at Vancouver's body of work in that run indicates that there's reason to have faith that MNUFC can break out of their slump and get the train back on the right track. That faith comes from making a season scoring comparison between the teams and, aside from a five-goal explosion against Montreal in early April, the Whitecaps have yet to register more than a single goal in any other MLS contest this season.

PLAYER AVAILABILITY REPORT:

Minnesota United

OUT:

B. Dibassy - Thigh

M. Marques - Ankle

E. Reynoso - Suspended

QUESTIONABLE:

N/A

MINNESOTA UNITED FC @ VANCOUVER WHITECAPS FC

BC PLACE | VANCOUVER, CANADA

05.06.23 | MLS Regular Season | Matchday 11

9:30 p.m. CT (MLS Season Pass; MNUFC Radio on 1500 ESPN)

2023 Record

MIN: 3-3-3 (3-2-0 on the road)

VAN: 2-2-5 (2-1-2 at home)

Check out the Minnesota United FC Statistics

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Major League Soccer Stories from May 5, 2023


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