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MLS Minnesota United FC

MNUFC Match Preview

August 3, 2018 - Major League Soccer (MLS)
Minnesota United FC News Release


GOLDEN VALLEY, Minn. - Minnesota United hosts red-hot Seattle Sounders FC at TCF Bank Stadium on Saturday, August 4 at 7:00 p.m. CT.

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: "Seattle has come into a little bit of form, as they always do at this time of year. They just bought [Raúl] Ruidíaz, who is a top player, and [Nico] Lodeiro now is playing really well again like he was last year. It is going to be tough, but we will be ready. We have done well at home and I expect us to do the same."

Eric Miller: "It is all about momentum for us. We have to keep our home form going. We have to make sure we get three points this weekend. If we can get a home win, get a little more comfortable than we already are in 3-5-2 and try to keep that rolling then we can try to find a way to fix the road woes."

Francisco Calvo and Darwin Quintero became the first MLS All-Stars in MNUFC history on Wednesday, August 1, as both featured in a 1-1 draw (5-3 loss on penalty kicks) against Juventus. Calvo appeared as a left-back in Gerardo "Tata" Martino's starting XI and played the first 31 minutes of the match, while Quintero joined the fun in the 62nd minute and created a number of scoring chances.

Quintero: "I'm happy. It was enjoyed to the fullest. We tried, as in any competition, to win. That's what ["Tata" Martino] said, that we were representing MLS so we needed to go out and win the game. Everyone enjoyed it in their own way. ... You work [to be named to these sort of events]. I think the day-to-day in your club, every weekend, doing things right gives you these opportunities. And well, today we enjoyed a lot."

Miguel Ibarra and Christian Ramirez made their 50th MLS appearances for MNUFC as starters in the 4-2 loss against Vancouver Whitecaps FC on Saturday, July 28.

Quintero leads the Loons with eight assists on the year following his two-assist effort at Vancouver. He is one assist away from tying the club single-season record of nine assists set by Kevin Molino last year.

Quintero contributed six goals and six assists in six games in the month of July. The 12 combined goals and assists were the second-most in a single calendar month in MLS history, according to the Elias Sports Bureau.

Ibson is currently on a two-game point streak after contributing an assist against LAFC and a goal at Vancouver.

Abu Danladi made his first appearance in seven matches vs. Vancouver after an extended injury absence and scored his first goal of the season to mark his return to the squad.

MNUFC announced on Tuesday, July 31 that it had exercised the 2018 contract option on rookie defender Carter Manley and loaned him to Las Vegas Lights FC of the United Soccer League (USL). Manley and Las Vegas host Rio Grande Valley FC Toros on Saturday, August 4 at 10:00 p.m. CT. Read more here.

MNUFC announced on Wednesday, August 1 that it had acquired an international roster spot from the Colorado Rapids for the 2018 season in exchange for $50,000 in General Allocation Money. Read more here.

Seattle Sounders FC is currently unbeaten in its past six games, with four wins and two draws in that run.

MNUFC is tied for the second-most home wins in MLS. Its eight victories at TCF Bank Stadium are only bested by NYCFC's 10 at Yankee Stadium.

MNUFC is tied for the sixth-most multi-goal games with 12 so far in 2018. Seattle is tied for the second-fewest with eight.

The Loons' 14.8 scoring percentage is the second-best in the league. Seattle currently has the lowest at 8.8 percent.

INJURY REPORT:

Minnesota United

OUT:

D - Jerome Thiesson (R lower leg)

M - Sam Cronin (head)

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

M - Maximiano (R knee)

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

Seattle Sounders

OUT:

F - Jordan Morris (R ACL tear)

QUESTIONABLE:

M - Handwalla Bwana (R foot)

M - Victor Rodriguez (R hamstring)

Check out the Minnesota United FC Statistics



Major League Soccer Stories from August 3, 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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