After a rough summer the Loons are rebounding down the stretch

Minnesota United started the season off on solid footing, but as summer began the Loons also began to struggle. After a record 3-1-3 (W-L-D) in mid-June injuries and international call-ups began plaguing MNUFC. From June 15th through the end of Leagues Cup play the club went 2-8-1 in competitive matches, including an eight match winless streak, and we’re bounced out the aforementioned Leagues Cup in the group stage.

However, since the early exit from Leagues Cup and a plethora of roster changes having taking place, Minnesota is 3-2-0 in their last five matches. The only losses were one goal losses to Seattle Sounders and FC Cincinnati, while the last two wins we’re each by two goals. As the playoff race heats up the Loons have outscored opponents ten goals to seven, secured their first ever points in Kansas City, and knocked out SKC last weekend with a big away win at Children’s Mercy Park.

Recapping The Last Three Matches

The last fourteen days has seen MNUFC take to the pitch three times, tonight’s match will make four matches in that span. Two weeks ago the Loons headed south traveling to St. Louis, MO for a clash with St. Louis City. After giving up an early fourth minute goal to the hosts courtesy of Cedric Teuchert, Minnesota stormed back and showed why they are one of the best away teams in the Western Conference. A 24′ goal from Bongokuhle Hlongwane tied up the match, an own goal from City gave the Loons the lead in the 54′, and the 62′ penalty from Kelvin Yeboah wrapped up the match with a bow.

MNUFC returned home to host a midweek showdown with FC Cincinnati, looking to improve their record in St. Paul as the Loons have the second worst home record in the West. Another second half penalty from Yeboah was no match for two first half goals from the Orange and Blue. Thus sending Cincy back to Ohio with three points and the Loons adding another home loss to the tally.

Last Saturday it was time for Minnesota to head south again for the season series ending clash with Sporting Kansas City. SKC hosted a throwback night donning Wizards kits for the evening against a side they’ve never drawn or lost to at home in the regular season. MNUFC’s only victory in Kansas was a playoff win during the 2020 MLS Cup Playoffs. And with Wizards kits in tow it was to be a magical night for all in Kansas, just not for the home side or fans. Kelvin Yeboah snapped a 65th minute goal putting the Loons up. In the dying minutes Miguel Tapias committed a foul inside the box sending Kansas City up for a late penalty to even up the match. William Agada cracked the post dashing KC’s hopes to tie the match. Moments later Hlongwane scored the dagger guaranteeing the Loons an away win and three points.

Coaches Quotes

“We weren’t in any way dominant in the game and I’m sure they’ll [Sporting Kansas City] feel aggrieved for being on the end of a two nil scoreline. But we’ve been in that position plenty of times ourselves over the course of, even in the last month or so and certainly early on in the season,” Eric Ramsey said after defeating Kansas City. “I’m really satisfied with the fact that we really looked like a team that was desperate to win and that’s what we needed to do today. No matter how we ended up doing it, the three points on the board was the biggest thing.”

“We’ve got to win at home between now and the end of the year, that’s the difference maker,” Eric Ramsey stated ahead of hosting Colorado. “I’ve said that today, I don’t normally make a point with such intent there but we’ve done our best against teams beneath us in the table into really difficult circumstances”

MNUFC vs Colorado Rapids

The Loons have just four matches left in the 2024 MLS campaign with three of those coming over the next seven days. Tonight starts that stretch as Minnesota hosts Colorado Rapids. The Loons sit at ninth place in the West with 42 points, teetering on the edge of the playoffs. A win tonight, pending other results, could push them into eighth and within touching distance of securing a playoff spot.

Colorado on the other hand has already punched their ticket to the MLS Cup Playoffs with 50 points through 30 games and sits in third in the West. The Rapids are relatively average away from Dick’s Sporting Goods Park with a 5-2-8 record outside of Commerce City, CO. Since Allianz Field opened Colorado has only secured a singular victory, coming back in 2020, with an overall record of 1-6-0 in St. Paul.

Injury Report

Minnesota United
Out: Teemu Pukki (thigh), DJ Taylor (thigh), and Zarek Valentin (foot)
Questionable: None

Colorado Rapids
Out: Cole Bassett (quad), Adam Beaudry (upper body), Kévin Cabral (elbow), and Sam Vines (hamstring)
Questionable: None