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MLS Minnesota United FC

MNUFC Match Preview | News and Notes Ahead of Columbus Crew SC

October 26, 2018 - Major League Soccer (MLS)
Minnesota United FC News Release


GOLDEN VALLEY, Minn. -- Minnesota United prepares to cross the finish line of the 2018 regular season this weekend in its final game against Columbus Crew SC at Mapfre Stadium on a packed Decision Day. Crew SC will be looking to fend off a strong charge from Montreal Impact - who play New England Revolution simultaneously - and take all three points at home to secure its spot in the playoffs as the sixth seed. The Loons will do their best to play spoiler and end their season on a high note with their second road win and first since Week 2 in Orlando.

FIRST TOUCHES:

MNUFC midfielder Collin Martin was awarded the Courage Award - given to an athlete or sports figure who overcame significant challenges on or off the playing field, inspiring others with their courage, perseverance and determination - at the Minnesota Sports Awards on Wednesday, October 24. The gala, which took place at U.S. Bank Stadium, celebrates the best of sports in Minnesota over the past year.

Grass was installed at the future home of MNUFC, Allianz Field, on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday of this week.

Darwin Quintero has been directly involved in 25 goals across 26 appearances since joining MNUFC at the end of March 2018 (11 goals, 14 assists).

Quintero has the fourth-highest assist count in MLS, with 14. He is three behind Luciano Acosta of D.C. United and Borek Dockal of Philadelphia Union.

MNUFC set a new Minnesota pro soccer attendance record last week, with 52,242 fans at its TCF Bank Stadium finale against LA Galaxy on Sunday, October 21.

MNUFC had an average attendance of 23,905 fans at TCF Bank Stadium in 2018.

Miguel Ibarra continues to extend his career record of 61 MLS appearances for MNUFC. If he makes an appearance against Columbus Crew SC, he will tie the club single-season record of 33 appearances set by Bobby Shuttleworth and Jerome Thiesson in 2017.

Columbus has the second lowest goal total in MLS, with 40 goals this season. It is ahead of only Colorado Rapids (34 goals).

Columbus needs to win against MNUFC to ensure a spot in the MLS Cup Playoffs. A draw or a loss against the Loons would require Montreal Impact to lose or draw its game vs. New England Revolution if Crew SC is to keep its sixth-place spot.

The final playoff spot is still up for grabs in both conferences. In the East, Crew SC has a two-point advantage over seventh-place Montreal. In the West, just one point separates Real Salt Lake and LA Galaxy. RSL has already played all 34 of its games, while the Galaxy will finish off the season at home against Houston Dynamo hoping to jump into the final spot.

INJURY REPORT:

Minnesota United

OUT:

GK - Alex Kapp (L leg)

GK - Bobby Shuttleworth (Back)

M - Sam Cronin (Head)

M - Ethan Finlay (R ACL tear - out for season)

M - Kevin Molino (L ACL tear - out for season)

QUESTIONABLE:

N/A

Columbus Crew SC

OUT:

M - Mike Grella (L knee)

DISCIPLINARY REPORT

Minnesota United

Alexi Gómez (Suspended - two games remaining)

Harrison Heath (Suspended - one game remaining)

Check out the Minnesota United FC Statistics



Major League Soccer Stories from October 26, 2018


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