Match Preview + Opponent Insight: MNUFC vs DC United

Following a road trip to Houston in which the Loons scored first, only to lose the lead and share a point, (a result that elicited such joyous reactions as: “A soccer game was played tonight in Houston,” “The streak is over! Come home quickly, Canadians!” and “Forgot what getting a point feels like.”) Minnesota United FC returns home to Allianz Field on Wednesday night to host DC United in a cross conference meeting.

With struggles of their own, DC could be just what the doctor ordered for MNUFC. The internationals are all back, including Dayne St. Clair and Tani Oluwaseyi (both of whom are expected to be available tonight), and most of the recent injuries are nearly back to fitness, with the exception of DJ Taylor and Wil Trapp. Can the Loons cnap the winless streak and bring Wonderwall back to the Wonderwall?

Recent Form (W-L-D) & History

MIN: 9th in West (33 pts.), 8-9-6 (4-3-3 at home), -2 GD. Last 5: D-L-L-L-L. Winless in 8.

DC: 12th in East (23 pts.), 5-11-8 (1-5-5 away), -16 GD. Last 5: W-L-L-D-L. 11 game winless streak snapped v. Nashville over the weekend.

Head-to-Head: Minnesota leads the series 3-2-0, winning all 3 matches they’ve hosted. The Loons scored 7 goals across those 3 matches.

Availability

MIN: Out – H. Bacharach (knee), DJ Taylor (leg), W. Trapp (leg); Questionable – C. Irwin

Note: Michael Boxall is one yellow card away from suspension for cumulation.

DC: Out – C. Antley (knee), J. Murrell (head), R. Canouse (not injury related); Questionable – None

Opponent Insight:

Sarah Kallassy – Managing Editor, District Press

It has been a minute since we have seen DC United and the storied club has been dealing with changes of its own in recent years. We caught up with Sarah Kallassy, District Press managing editor, to hear how the Black-and-Red are getting along and what to expect at match time.

Northland Soccer Journal: Troy Lesesne was announced as head coach in January. What effects has the change had on the pitch and on the fanbase?

Sarah Kallassy: It’s not a secret that Troy Lesesne’s squads play exciting soccer. You can see that on the pitch when D.C. can fill out most of the 18 and aren’t run into the ground with exhaustion from three matches in a span of less than ten days. After last season’s lackluster presence on the field, it has been interesting to watch Lesesne start to shape the team. We hope the club will pony up the cash for some much-needed pieces that suit the style Lesesne wants to play. I think we are a few transfer windows away from being truly dangerous.

What will be the effects on the fanbase? Honestly, it’s too soon to tell. The Black-and-Red have had so much coaching turnover in the past few years that it has been next to impossible to truly invest before another coach arrives and everything changes again.

NSJ: DC looks a lot better on paper individually than as a team in the standings (Ex. Christian Benteke is 2nd in the Golden Boot race with 14 goals in 20 appearances but DC has a -16 GD). Is their recent form a product of that or is there another explanation for these results?

SK: D.C. United’s players are, as you say, individually strong. However, a lack of consistency in the club’s vision due to a managerial revolving door and limited investment has really stifled the team. We currently have a group of players who arrived under different managers and don’t necessarily fit into a cohesive system. That is nowhere near their fault. Recently, it’s been promising to see Lesesne unite the squad as much as he has and produce any results.

It may sound strange, but we’ve watched D.C. United lose a match, although the quality of play was there, the technical ability, and it was just a call one way or the other that really dictated the scoreline. However, we’ve seen matches the Black-and-Red have won by the skin of their teeth that were not quite as convincing. I’d chalk it up to the need to build consistently under one manager and a united vision (no pun intended, but I’ll take one).

NSJ: Benteke is fairly obvious, but who are a few other players that Loons fans should be watching for?

SK: Nowadays, it is anyone’s guess who will be the dangerman on the pitch for D.C. United. Aaron Herrera is one to watch, as are Jared Stroud, Ted Ku-DiPietro, and Cristian Dájome. And yes, there is always the possibility that Benteke will ruin your night with a hat trick. That turn of events would make our night though.

NSJ: Predictions – Lineup/Score

SK: Ugh, I hate these!

I think Lesesne goes for what works tonight, knowing that there is a break on the horizon and points matter more than ever. Alex Bono stays in goal, rather than Tyler Miller and Lesesne fields Aaron Herrera, Christopher McVey, Matti Peltola, Pedro Santos, Cristian Dájome, Matuesz Klich, Martin Rodríguez, Jared Stroud, Ted Ku-DiPietro, Christian Benteke. Gabe Pirani will likely be a super sub.

Score? Minnesota wins 2-1, or D.C. is fired up, and it will be 3-2. Another possibility is that everyone is exhausted, and it’s a tepid draw. See? I really do hate these!

Our thanks to Sarah for going to the spot for us. MNUFC will kick off against DC at 7:30 PM CT (7:39) tonight. Follow NSJ for live updates and postgame coverage.