Match Preview: Loons shoot for redemption in rematch with Whitecaps

Minnesota United faces off with Vancouver Whitecaps for the second and final time in the 2025 season on the 28th of May. The Loons have been on a tear as of late, going 5-1-1 across all competitions since the beginning of May. The Loons last match in April, a 3-1 loss at home to Vancouver Whitecaps in a match that Minnesota looked surprisingly un-competitive in. After a disappointing draw at home last week with Austin FC, the Loons are aiming for redemption from

“A goal we set at the beginning of the year was to not lose to a team twice,” said Eric Ramsey. “So, I think we’re looking to attack this game and take the three points, we know how big of a game this could be.”

Vancouver are without question the best team in Major League Soccer this season. The Whitecaps have only lost two matches across all competitions in 2025 and only one of those in MLS play, the other coming in the away leg of the Concacaf Champions Cup first round. Offensively the Whitcaps are led by Brian White (10 goals), Pedro Vite (4 goals, 1 assist), and Ali Ahmed (5 assists) and have outscored their opponents 27-12 in 14 matches. The biggest question for Vancouver will be how much rotation they put into their lineup tonight. VWFC are coming off a 3-2 away win over RSL just days ago, but face Cruz Azul (Liga MX) in the Concacaf Champions Cup Final this weekend for the biggest prize in North American club soccer.

News & Notes

Just a few hours before the first teams face off, MNUFC2 hosts Whitecaps FC 2 at 7pm in Blaine at the National Sports Center Stadium.

Darius Randell was signed to his fourth and final short-term agreement of the 2025 season just ahead of publication of the match preview. Randell is available from the bench tonight as per MLS rules a player can make two appearances in matches under STA’s and Randell’s only appearance came in the USOC.

The Loons have hosting priority for the remainder of the US Open Cup. They will face Chicago Fire in the Quarterfinals in St. Paul on 08-July, just a day after a friendly match with Holstein Kiel. If the Loons win in the quarterfinals they are guaranteed to host in the Semi-Finals where Minnesota will face either San Jose Earthquakes or Austin FC.

Availability

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

VAN | Out: Robert Taylor (hamstring) ; Questionable: Dani Pereira (hip flexor)

Staff Predictions

Bridget McDowell: Berhalter 2-2 Minnesota

Seth Steffenhagen: 2-1 Loons

Tim McLaughlin: 2-0 Whitecaps

Ashle Paige: a boring nil-nil draw

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