Match Preview: MIN v RSL, Game 2

On Saturday night, MN United FC returns home to Allianz Field with plans to get out of the best-of-three series against Real Salt Lake with a win. After the shoot out win in Salt Lake [Sandy], Utah, the Loons want anything but to go back there.

“There’s going to be a lot more pressure on Salt Lake now going into a must-win for them. But, we’re definitely looking at it [Game 2] as a must-win because we don’t want to come back here [to Salt Lake] either.”

– MNUFC goalkeeper Dayne St. Clair, after Minnesota’s Game 1 win at America First Field

If Minnesota wins on Saturday night, they secure their spot in the conference semifinal. If Minnesota loses, they’ll return to Salt Lake for the tie breaker. Either way, the winner will travel to LA to face the 2nd seed Galaxy who swept their first round series against the Colorado Rapids. But getting past Real Salt Lake at home to clinch the conference semifinal would be a historic opportunity Minnesota – MNUFC have not played a playoff game at home, in front of fans, since 2019.

– Back-to-back braces
– 4 goals, 1 assist in 2 games
– Epic goal celebrations
– @LAGalaxy sweep over Colorado@RiquiPuig is ballin' in the Audi #MLSCupPlayoffs. 🔥 pic.twitter.com/BR5msWnW75

— Major League Soccer (@MLS) November 2, 2024

Last Match

Tuesday, October 29 at America First Field: RSL 0 (4) – 0 (5) MIN

Penalties scored:

RSL | Arango, Goncalves, Julio, Eneli; Misses: Glad, Ojeda

MIN | Yeboah, Trapp, Sang Bin, Oluwaseyi, Diaz; Saved – Boxall

Availability

MIN | Out – Matúš Kmeť (thigh); Questionable – None

RSL | Out – Kevin Bonilla (knee), Pablo Ruiz (knee); Questionable: Bode Hidalgo (groin), Philip Quinton (hamstring)

Spit Takes

• With Tori Penso serving as 1st official (and Ted Unkel down in 4th), this match should be better managed than the last meeting. Penso’s no-nonsense, play-on approach should minimize the dives and chippiness that have been abundant in previous meetings – Or, at the very least, she will call fouls on both sides of the ball.
• Should the match go to a penalty kick shootout (and after 5 straight draws, why would this one be any different?), it becomes a Dayne St. Clair vs Zac McMath battle. St. Clair registered 5 saves on Tuesday, MacMath 7 (including his shootout stop on Michael Boxall). While St. Clair didn’t register a save in regulation, he only needs to be as good as his offense through 90 minutes.
• Fresh off of his three match suspension for spitting at Michael Boxall in their last regular season meeting, RSL defender Brayan Vera will return to action tonight. There’s no love lost between the two defenders and, in a game that is sure to get chippy, Boxall v. Vera is a feature to watch.

Match Details

Kickoff: 8:00 p.m. CT (MLS Season Pass; MNUFC Radio on 1500 ESPN; SiriusXM FC Channel 157)

Pregame:

• It’s another Black Out – It is a sanctioned time to wear all black-and-blue. (Leave your red shirts and black face paint at home).
• Lawn Layover – Polica performs at 6 p.m.
• March to the Match – Supporters will meet at the loon sculpture at 6:45 to march into the stadium together (always a lovely sight, for marchers as well as bystanders).

Northland Soccer Journal will be at Allianz Field. Follow for live updates and postmatch coverage and we would love you to join us from wherever you are.

COYL