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MLS Minnesota United FC

MNUFC Match Preview | News and Notes Ahead of New York City FC

September 28, 2018 - Major League Soccer (MLS)
Minnesota United FC News Release


GOLDEN VALLEY, Minn. -- Minnesota United heads into the season's homestretch on an upswing, having notched a comeback draw on the road against Real Salt Lake and a hard-fought win at home against Portland Timbers last week. The Loons now square off against a New York City FC squad playing its second game of the week, having locked in a playoff spot following a 2-0 win over Chicago Fire.

Links to MNUFC training soundbytes, match notes and media guide are listed below, plus noteworthy first touches and an updated injury report:

FIRST TOUCHES:

Adrian Heath: "Winning games always gives everybody that extra bit of confidence. Certainly coming back home has helped. I thought the crowd was magnificent at the weekend. They really got behind us and I thought our first-half performance warranted the support that we got. I thought for 45 minutes we were excellent - some great attacking play and great combination play."

Eric Miller made his 100th regular-season MLS appearance in the 3-2 victory over Portland Timbers on Saturday, September 22.

Romario Ibarra (two goals) and Darwin Quintero (two assists) featured in the MLS Team of the Week for Week 30.

Romario (two goals vs. POR) became the first player to score multiple goals in a game for MNUFC since July 22.

Quintero assisted both of Romario's goals, the 10th multi-assist game in Minnesota's MLS history. Quintero now has 12 assists, which sets a new club career record.

Michael Boxall scored his second goal of the year and the first game-winning goal of his career vs. Portland.

Miguel Ibarra has now made 57 MLS appearances for MNUFC, taking sole possession of the club's career appearance record.

Ibarra (10G/11A) and Quintero (10G/12A) are the two MNUFC players with double-digit goals and assists in their careers with the club in MLS.

MNUFC earned its 10th win of the season last weekend, equaling last season's total with five games remaining.

MNUFC put 10 shots on goal vs. Portland. It was the first time it reached that total since July 22.

MNUFC will be without Maximiano and Fernando Bob this game due to suspension. Maximiano reached his yellow-card limit, while Fernando Bob was ejected in the 89th minute of the Loons' game vs. Portland.

The Loons have scored at least one goal in six consecutive home games. They are 5-1-0 in that stretch with 18 goals for and 11 against.

Francisco Calvo will make his 50th MLS appearance next time he plays for MNUFC.

Calvo, Ronald Matarrita and Rodney Wallace are members of the Costa Rica national team.

Rasmus Schuller and Alexander Ring are both members of the Finland national team and played together on HJK in 2012 and 2013.

Alexi Gómez and Alexander Callens both played for the Peru national team in World Cup qualifying games.

Ibarra and Maxi Moralez played for Club León in 2016.

MNUFC will face the visiting LA Galaxy on Sunday, October 21 to close out two years of MLS action at TCF Bank Stadium before moving to Allianz Field for 2019. With Allianz Field's capacity at 19,400 when it opens, this is the last chance to shatter a record that has stood for over 40 years, ever since a crowd of 49,572 fans came to Metropolitan Stadium to watch the Minnesota Kicks beat the San Jose Earthquakes 3-1 and win the NASL Conference Championship. The Loons have sold and distributed over 45,000 tickets as of Monday, September 24.

INJURY REPORT:

Minnesota United

OUT:

M - Sam Cronin (Head)

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

M - Collin Martin (R ankle)

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

F - Abu Danladi (R leg)

QUESTIONABLE:

M - R. Ibarra (R leg)

New York City FC

OUT:

D - Cedric Hountondji (Hamstring)

M - Yangel Herrera (Ankle)

DISCIPLINARY REPORT

Minnesota United

Fernando Bob (Red card)

Maximiano (Accumulation)

MINNESOTA UNITED FC vs. NEW YORK CITY FC

TCF Bank Stadium | Minneapolis, MN

9.29.18 | MLS Game No. 30

7:00 p.m. CT (FSN+ / MNUFC Radio on 1500 ESPN)

2018 Records:

MIN: 10-16-3, 9-4-1 at home

NYC: 15-8-8, 4-7-4 on the road

Check out the Minnesota United FC Statistics



Major League Soccer Stories from September 28, 2018


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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