MLS Minnesota United FC

MNUFC Match Preview

Published on June 22, 2018 under Major League Soccer (MLS)
Minnesota United FC News Release


GOLDEN VALLEY, Minn. - Minnesota United returns to MLS action for this first time since June 3 this weekend with a trip to Colorado Rapids on Saturday, June 23 at 8:00 p.m. CT. The Loons are 1-0-1 against Colorado in MLS, drawing 2-2 in their last meeting at Dick's Sporting Goods Park. The match will be broadcast on Fox Sports North, with additional coverage on 1500 ESPN (radio).

FIRST TOUCHES:

Adrian Heath: "We've been preparing now for the Colorado game for maybe the last 10 days because we haven't had an MLS game in weeks. We have had enough time to look at them and see what their strengths and weaknesses are, so let's see if we can go and exploit them ... The most important thing is that we go and play better than we have done on the road. They are in a disappointing run of form, but one thing I know about professional players is they will look at our results on the road and think this is an opportunity for them to break this run they're on. It is a big game for both of us. We are going to have to play better than we have done on the road. Our away form has not been good enough."

MNUFC and Colorado were involved in a major intra-league trade in May, with the Loons acquiring defender Eric Miller and $50,000 in General Allocation Money in exchange for winger Sam Nicholson and a 2018 international roster spot. Since the trade, Miller has featured as a starter on five occasions, while Nicholson has started seven times and contributed one assist.

Jerome Thiesson and Shkelzen Gashi are both natives of Zurich, Switzerland.

Collen Warner is originally from Denver, Colorado.

Michael Boxall, Kip Colvey, Tommy Smith and Deklan Wynne are all members of the New Zealand national team.

This will be Boxall's fourth match as MNUFC captain (second in MLS action).

Tyrone Mears and Bismark Adjei-Boateng are both products of the Manchester City Academy. Boateng arrived at the club from the Right to Dream Academy in Ghana, where he and Abu Danladi played until 2011.

MNUFC earned its first-ever MLS point at Colorado, claiming a 2-2 draw at Dick's Sporting Goods Park on March 18, 2017.

Miguel Ibarra scored his first MLS goal in a 1-0 win over Colorado on April 23, 2017 at TCF Bank Stadium. He has five goals and seven assists over his MLS career.

Colorado has committed the third-most fouls in MLS with 213 this season. MNUFC has 184 for the fifth-highest total.

INJURY REPORT:

Minnesota United

OUT:

GK - Matt Lampson (R knee)

D - Marc Burch (L knee)

M - Sam Cronin (head)

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

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

F - Abu Danladi (L leg)

QUESTIONABLE:

D - Eric Miller (L hamstring)

D - Jerome Thiesson (R lower leg)

Colorado Rapids

OUT:

D - Kortne Ford (L MCL sprain)

D - Axel Sjoberg (Concussion)

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Major League Soccer Stories from June 22, 2018


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