Match Preview: Minnesota United at FC Dallas

After a rough outing last weekend, Minnesota United returns to the pitch tonight for a midweek clash in the Lone Star State against FC Dallas. MNUFC will have a tough task ahead of them again being shorthanded due to international duty, injuries, and a red card suspension all taking their toll. While Minnesota has traditionally struggled in Frisco, TX being 2-4-2 their all time, but haven’t lost to Dallas in Texas since August of 2020. The Loons and the Toros enter the match with identical 1-2-2 (W-L-D) records in their last five matches, but on polar opposite paths to this point in the season, with MNUFC remaining near the top of the league and FCD near the bottom.

By The Numbers:
MIN | 8-4-5 (29 points, 4th place in West, 8th in Supporters’ Shield)
FCD | 4-8-5 (17 points, 12th place in West, 25th in Supporters’ Shield)
Last Meeting: 8-June, 2024 – 1–1 Draw in St. Paul

“They’re [FC Dallas] in a difficult position. They’ve obviously been beneficiaries of what is almost guaranteed post managerial change bounce. We would hope that wouldn’t extend into our game, but of course anytime there is a change of staff, typically that brings new energy, new ideas, and a freshness,” said Eric Ramsey. “They didn’t play in a distinctly different way to a way in which they played against us, despite having changed the manager. Their coach has spoken pretty openly about that being the case. I wouldn’t expect anything all that different from when we played them aside from maybe a renewed energy and a group that’s maybe looking at a situation a little bit differently.”

Other Notes:
Minnesota United announced this morning they signed short term agreements with three MNUFC2 players for tonight’s match. Midfielders Kage Romanshyn Jr. and Molik Jesse Khan were signed to their third and second short term agreements of 2024 alongside defender Finn McRobb being signed to his first one. All three players are eligible to appear in tonight’s match as Romanshyn Jr did not appear against the Seattle Sounders last weekend.

Jon Marthaler of the Pioneer Press first reported  that Michael Boxall was in full training on Tuesday after being subbed out at halftime on Saturday due to his ankle. Per his reporting DJ Taylor also participated in training also “but it sounds like he’s unlikely to play,” per Marthaler’s report.

#MNUFC note: Wil Trapp has joined the team in Texas.

Presumably he will be at least somewhat available for tonight’s game, but of course, it’s unclear whether he might start.

— Jon Marthaler (@jmarthaler) June 19, 2024

FC Dallas Availability:
OUT: Geovane Jesus (knee), Paxton Pomykal (knee), and Alan Velasco (knee)

QUESTIONABLE: None

Minnesota United Availability
OUT: Hugo Bacharach (knee), Devin Padelford (concussion), Teemu Pukki (knee), Moses Nyeman (red card), Alejandro Bran (International Duty, Costa Rica), Carlos Harvey (International Duty, Panama), Tani Oluwaseyi (International Duty, Canada), and Dayne St. Clair (International Duty, Canada)

Questionable: None

Referee Assignments

Referee: Sergii Demianchuk
Assistant Referee: Jeffrey Greeson
Assistant Referee: Justin Howard
4th Official: Joe Dickerson
VAR: David Barrie
Assistant VAR: Robert Schaap

Tonight’s match is advertised for a 7:30 pm start with an expected kickoff of approximately 7:39pm CT. The match  along with all other matches tonight is viewable on Apple TV for free.