After two months away, the MNUFC season is back

For the first time in what feels like forever Minnesota United are back in action in MLS play. Opening the second half of the season is a trip to Kansas City, KS for the "Nicest Rivalry in Sport" against Sporting Kansas City. MNUFC currently sit inside the playoff race at 8th place with a record of 6-4-5 (22 points) through 15 matches. On the other side of the pitch are the last place club in the West and second bottom in the league in Sporting Kansas City. SKC has gone 3-2-10 (11 points) through the first 15 matches of the campaign.

Minnesota only big change from the first half of the season is the departure of James Rodríguez, who leaves after a half season with the Loons. His departure was not unexpected as his contract was structured to allow him to depart after the World Cup, unless he and the club decided he would stay on for the final half. But the biggest challenge for Minnesota will be the constant two matches per week, starting right out of the gate.

“The amount of games that are coming, the depth of squad will be more important than it has ever been. I think for us it is just what we do daily," said midfielder Wil Trapp. "It is daily habits. It is foundational principles that you just have to build every single day. From there, the performances will follow based on the work that we put it.”

Starting off the second half against Sporting Kansas City looks like an easy task from the outside with the struggles SKC has had this season. Former Bundesliga defender Raphaël Wicky took over the club for 2026 and is still rebuilding a club that struggled the past few seasons under longtime manager Peter Vermes.

“I think you have to be mindful that they’re certainly not the same team now that the season has started. They have improved significantly. You can’t look at their position in the table and underestimate them either," MNUFC manager Cameron Knowles said to the media on Tuesday. "We have to be ready; we have to be diligent in the way we play. We expect that the guys will take aboard some of the messaging that we had over this time. In terms of a disciplined performance, not underestimating the opponent and making sure that we are aware that it is a difficult place to play [in Sporting Park].”

Sporting KC has only won twice in their last ten matches, but some additions in the summer transfer window should help SKC. Left back Emir Karić comes to Kansas from Sturm Graz (Austria) while Colombian centre back Moisés Mosquera comes to MLS from FC Juárez (Mexico). Those two additions have shored up SKC's to this point paltry defence quite well. And With the transfer window just having opened it's only a matter of time before Wicky leaves a huge mark on the club.

News & Notes

Non-League sides Minnesota Aurora (USLW) and Minneapolis City SC (USL2) ended the season unbeaten (12-0-0) before falling in the playoffs earlier this month.

If you want to watch with other supporters you have watch parties to choose from Dark Clouds & Red Loons at Black Hart of St. Paul, while Dark Clouds have a Minneapolis watch party at Beckett's in Lyn-Lake. TNE will be at Padraigs Brewing in Northeast Minneapolis, while MNUFC has an official club watch party at Surly Brewing Co. near the U of M campus in Minneapolis.

TV time is set for 7:30pm this afternoon with kickoff happening at approximately 7:39pm. You can watch on Apple TV and listen on 1500ESPN.

Availability

SKC | Out: Diego Borges (quad), Taylor Calheira (ankle), Justin Reynolds (hamstring) ; Questionable: None

MIN | Out: Carlos Harvey (illness), Nicolás Romero (lower extremity), Nectarios Triantis (lower extremity); Questionable: Jefferson Díaz (lower extremity)