Minnesota United can put some distance between themselves and the clubs behind them in the MLS postseason race as they host the New England Revolution at Allianz Field on Saturday.
The Loons began this month by playing the San Jose Earthquakes to a 1-1 draw, moving up to seventh in the Western Conference, three points above the playoff line, while New England conceded in stoppage time versus Austin FC in a match which ended 2-2, as they are clinging to second in the East, having suffered one fewer defeat than Orlando City.
Match preview
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Since the domestic campaign resumed following the conclusion of the Leagues Cup, the Loons have looked like a more consistent team than we saw through the early portion of the campaign, having earned at least a point in four successive encounters since exiting that tournament in the quarter-finals.
Adrian Heath's men are currently on a six-match unbeaten run in MLS play, one shy of their longest stretch without a defeat from a year ago, while suffering only one loss at home in this competition since May (4-1 versus Austin FC).
Their 2-0 victory at New York City FC in August was the first domestic triumph for the Loons against an Eastern Conference opponent this year, and on Saturday, they have a chance to win back-to-back regular-season encounters against the East for the first time since 2019.
Not only is the Loons' postseason destiny in their hands, but their unbeaten run has also put them in the mix for a Western Conference home playoff game, as only four points currently separate Minnesota in seventh from Los Angeles FC, who are third.
Four of their next five matches will take place in Minnesota, where this team have not been at their best, winning on only three occasions in this competition, the second-fewest among MLS clubs behind the Colorado Rapids (two).
At home this season, the Loons have failed to win three times when leading at the half, dropping five points as a result, though they have salvaged their share of points at Allianz field lately, coming back from a goal down to earn a point in four of their last seven home fixtures, with only one defeat over that span.
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As we hit the home stretch of the regular season, New England are in a close race for second place in the Eastern Conference, with the Columbus Crew, Philadelphia Union and Orlando City all within two points of the Revolution.
Seven points from their final eight matches is all they need to book a place in the MLS Cup playoffs, and you have to fancy their chances of achieving that, given that the Revs have only suffered two defeats in their last 13 domestic affairs.
This weekend, they begin a three-game road trip where New England have only claimed victory three times domestically all year, which is still as many as this team managed throughout the previous campaign.
Saturday will be their first-ever visit to Allianz Field, with the Revs losing their only previous match played in Minnesota, 2-1 at TCF Bank Stadium in 2018.
It is no surprise to see Bruce Arena's side tied for second in the Eastern Conference regarding goals scored (47), but this team have been much more compact along the back end in 2023, conceding the fourth-fewest goals in MLS this season (31).
The Revs have squandered two second-half leads away from home this season, dropping four points as a result, points which could have put them within reach of FC Cincinnati in the Supporters' Shield standings, as they currently trail them by 10 points with a game in hand.
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Team News
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Minnesota were without Bongokuhle Hlongwane, Kervin Arriaga, Robin Lod and Ryen Jiba against the Quakes last Saturday because of knee injuries, while DJ Taylor is eligible to return, having missed that encounter due to a yellow card suspension.
Heath will be without the services of Teemu Pukki as the former Norwich City striker was called up to the Finland national team, who are looking to qualify for Euro 2024, Joseph Rosales will be representing Honduras at the CONCACAF Nations League, while Jeong Sang-bin is with the South Korean Under-23 squad.
Pukki has goals in back-to-back domestic fixtures, netting his third of the campaign last weekend, drawing even with Mender Garcia for second on the team in that department, three behind Hlongwane and Emanuel Reynoso, who are tied for first.
The Revs' Ryan Spaulding and Jacob Jackson will be questionable with head injuries, Gustavo Bou is also a question mark due to a sore right leg, Maciel has an issue with his left Achilles, Henry Kessler is dealing with a right hamstring strain, Brandon Bye underwent season-ending right ACL surgery and Dylan Borrero is out for the season after getting surgery done on his left knee.
New England are still working on the visa situation of their new signing Tomas Vaclik, Christian Makoun has been named to the Venezuelan national team for this international window, while Noel Buck was called up to the England Under-19 squad.
Tomas Chancalay notched his first two goals in MLS last weekend, Nacho Gil picked up his first assist in league play, his brother Carles Gil created a game-high five chances in his 125th career league appearance and Ben Sweat made his second straight start, recording a team-high for recoveries (six) and interceptions (two).
Minnesota United possible starting lineup:
St. Clair; Valentin, Boxall, Tapias, Bristow; Trapp, Gregus; Tajouri-Shradi, Reynoso, Dotson; Fragapane
New England Revolution possible starting lineup:
Edwards; Farrell, Gonzalez, Romney, Sweat; Kaye, Harkes; N. Gil, C. Gil, Chancalay; Wood
We say: Minnesota United 1-0 New England Revolution
Minnesota always seem to get it together just in time for the stretch run, and although they have not been great at home this season, the Loons have done an excellent job at destabilizing their opponents with plenty of pressure.
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Top tip
Joel Lefevre
