Minnesota United will be looking to keep their playoff dreams alive when they welcome Western Conference leaders St Louis City to Allianz Field on Saturday night in MLS.
The Loons squandered a two-goal lead on Wednesday against LA Galaxy to leave their top-nine hopes in the balance, whilst St Louis became the first side to clinch a playoff space, sharing the spoils with Los Angeles FC.
Match preview
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At the half-time interval of their clash at LA Galaxy on Wednesday night, Minnesota United found themselves in a comfortable position and set to cruise to a much-needed maximum, with a brace from Bongokuhle Hlongwane and a strike from former Norwich City man Teemu Pukki giving the visitors a 3-1 lead.
Despite this, a disappointing - and admittedly at times calamitous - second-period display from the Loons saw Greg Vanney's men complete a complete turnaround, condemning Adrian Heath's side to back-to-back defeats for the first time since April in matches against Orlando City and Seattle Sounders.
Minnesota's inability to hold onto a convincing position once again on Wednesday night means they slipped out of the top nine in the Western Conference standings, with Heath's charges now sitting 10th, a single point behind Dallas, who have played a game fewer.
Since the Leagues Cup defeat to Nashville SC in the middle of August, Loons' goalkeeper Dayne St Clair had been praised for clean sheets in results against New York City FC and strugglers Colorado Rapids, but five goals conceded over the past week have led to questions of whether the Canadian is receiving the adequate protection from his backline.
United are the only side in the Western Conference to have qualified for the playoffs in each of the last four seasons, although a five-straight qualification has been thrown into serious doubt with Saturday's hosts now enduring a four-game winless run.
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St Louis City became the first club in MLS to secure their place in the post-season playoffs on Wednesday night, playing out a goalless draw with Los Angeles FC at CITYPARK.
It was a battle of the Western Conference's top two in Missouri and neither side were able to net the decisive goal, and you feel a share of the spoils suits Bradley Carnell's men better as it allowed them to keep a six-point buffer over Steven Cherundolo's charges at the top of the standings.
After joining the league at the start of the year, St Louis are vying to be the first expansion side in MLS history to finish top of their respective conference during their maiden term, with the ultimate goal of lifting the MLS Cup later in the campaign.
Despite receiving plaudits for their attacking play so far this term, the work of former Borussia Dortmund goalkeeper Roman Burki cannot be underestimated, with the Switzerland international keeping eight clean sheets since making the switch from the Bundesliga.
St Louis will be looking to avoid back-to-back defeats against Minnesota by earning a positive result on Saturday night, with Heath's Loons collecting maximums points in the reverse fixture back in April courtesy of a Luis Amarilla penalty - the Paraguayan has since moved to Liga MX outfit Mazatlan.
Team News
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Minnesota will be sweating over the fitness of playmaker Emanuel Reynoso ahead of Saturday's crucial clash in Missouri after the six-goal midfielder was taken off at half time in the loss to LA Galaxy due to a thigh issue.
The Loons are simply not as threatening without the Argentinian, but winger Ismael Tajouri-Shradi will attempt to provide the same offensive guile if Reynoso is not available for selection.
Heath is set for a selection headache at left-back, with Ethan Bristow suspended after collecting two yellow cards on Wednesday night and Joseph Rosales doubtful following his substitution in the first period due to a hamstring issue.
Better news for the hosts arrives in the form of Kervin Arriaga, who is close to a return to action after recovering quicker than expected from knee surgery in the middle of summer.
St Louis will have to push for the Western Conference title without the services of Rasmus Alm until the middle of October, with the Swede out of action due to a groin injury sustained earlier this month.
The visitors' top goalscorer Nicolas Gioacchini had to settle for a place on the bench against LAFC on Wednesday night, but the American should be reinstated back into the XI at the expense of either Joao Klauss or Samuel Adeniran.
Minnesota United possible starting lineup:
St Clair; Taylor, Boxall, Tapias, Valentin; Trapp, Gregus, Hlongwane, Reynoso, Dotson; Pukki
St Louis City possible starting lineup:
Burki; Watts, Parker, Nilsson, Markanich; Vassilev, Blom, Lowen, Gioacchini; Klauss, Adeniran
We say: Minnesota United 1-3 St Louis City
Minnesota boss Heath has highlighted his side's final three home matches as crucial games in deciding their regular-season fate, but a clash with the Western Conference leaders is set to be very challenging.
St Louis will have a weight off their shoulders after officially clinching their place in the playoffs last time out, and we believe this extra freedom will help Carnell's men earn their first maximum of September.
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Carter White
