Match Preview: Loons face off with RSL for the first time in 2025

After two straight disappointing results, where Minnesota United gave up leads and ended with a single point each time, the Loons look to rebound this week against Real Salt Lake. Coming in to matchday six with a 2-1-2 (W-L-D) record and eight points, the start to the 2025 season has not been awful for MNUFC. Kelvin Yeboah has scored four goals in five matches and Tani Oluwaseyi has scored twice and is showing himself to be a dangerous threat. “We’re in a really good place. We give away very few chances, we create a lot of chances in a lot of different ways and I think we have to look at ourselves in the mirror when it comes to closing the last two games out,” manager Eric Ramsey said.

Real Salt Lake on the other hand, have not had quite as good of a start as the Loons. RSL are 2-3-0 with 6 points through five matches played on the season. Coming off a 1–0 loss to FC Dallas and trading losses followed by a win, their season has been wishy-washy to say the least. They’ve only managed five goals on the campaign while their defence has allowed nine goals to this point. New signing Australian striker Ariath Piol is out for this week’s match for Salt Lake after receiving red card last weekend.

News & Notes

After sitting the out the first four matches due to injury, Joseph Rosales returned last week against the LA Galaxy. Coming on for Anthony Markanich at left back in the 60th minute. While nothing flashy, Rosales had a solid outing in his return off the bench.

Last weekend Hassani Dotson was subbed off early after being injured in the first half. His knee injury will keep him out for an extended period of time. Eric Ramsey stated to the press earlier this week “Until the surgery is complete, it’s difficult to say … how many months it will be.” (Quote courtesy of the Pioneer Press)

After missing last weekend due to international duty, five players will be back available once more for Minnesota. Tani and Dayne St. Clair won third place in the Concacaf Nations League with Canada. Michael Boxall and New Zealand throttled Fiji and New Caledonia in their two World Cup Qualifier matches. Carlos Harvey finished his international duty with Panama taking second place in the Concacaf Nations League, beating the USA and losing to Mexico in the final. Lastly Robin Lod and the Finnish national team had a mixed outing, beating Malta but drawing with Lithuania in their World Cup Qualifying group stage matches.

Availability

MIN | Out: Keller (leg), Dotson (knee) ; Questionable: None

RSL | Out: Bell (hamstring), MacMath (shoulder), Piol (not due to injury)  ; Questionable: None

Staff Predictions

Ashle Paige: 1–1 draw

Seth Steffengahen: 3–1 Loons

Michael Lake: 2–1 Loonz

Tim McLaughlin: 1–0 Loon

Bridget McDowell: 1–1 Loons (aka draw)

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