One final match and then MLS hits the breaks for nearly the next eight weeks for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. After tonight the next time we will see the Loons in MLS action is on 22 July at Sporting Kansas City. And in the final match before the summer break, Minnesota United hosts 3rd place Real Salt Lake in a Western Conference clash.
With two straight one goal losses behind them, Minnesota United wants to close out their final match at Allianz Field until almost August on a high note. Heading into the match Minnesota has a record of 7-11-3 (W-D-L) all time against RSL and are unbeaten in eight straight against the Utah club. But MNUFC has been running into a problem again recently, scoring.
As of now the Loons are on track to score only 41 goals this season, which would be a massive decrease from last season's 58 goals scored. Heading into Saturday afternoon's match only two players, Kelvin Yeboah and Anthony Markanich, have scored more than a single goal. Yeboah has tallied the most at eight, while the 26 year old defender has four goals. MNUFC has scored just three goals in their last three matches and has been shut out in one of those.
Often times Minnesota is showing to be the better team on the pitch, controlling every aspect of the match. Except for where it counts on the scoreboard. MNUFC's defence has done well to counter that, remaining solid only allowing an average of 1.5 goals per match. Up slightly from 2025, but still good enough for ranking 11th in the 30 club league.
Real Salt Lake however have a top ten offence this season with multiple players that have scored two or more goals. Sergi Solans and the 19 year old Zavier Gozo have combined for 12 goals, with six each. Diego Luna has also tallied four goals and one assist this year. Former Ligue 1 & Bundesliga winger Morgan Guilavogui has added depth to the attack with his abilities as a playermaker.
To go along with that top ten offence is a top ten defence as well. Also sitting in eighth place, Real Salt Lake's defence is averaging giving up just 1.4 goals per match. RSL has only picked up a couple of clean sheets this year, but goalkeeper Rafael Cabral's 43 saves have been huge for the defence. The problem for RSL is they are 1-1-3 away from Sandy, UT this season.
News & Notes
The MNUFC Academy's U19 squad fell last night to Minneapolis City SC in the first match of the Minnesota Super Cup's group stage. The Lil Loons next match in the Super Cup is on June 10th against NPSL side Minnesota Blizzard.
USL W League club Minnesota Aurora plays at Rally Madison in Wisconsin tonight at 6pm. You can watch the stream of their first ever meeting here.
Jefferson Díaz returns from a one match suspension tonight, Carlos Harvey is also available having recently returned from injury.
There is a march to the match this afternoon at 2:30pm starting from the Loon statue near the corner of Snelling & University.
TV time is set for 3:30pm this afternoon with kickoff happening at approximately 3:39pm. You can watch on Apple TV and listen on 1500ESPN.
Availability
MIN | Out: Peter Stroud (quad), Julian Gressel (broken toe) ; Questionable: None
RSL | Out: Jesus Barea (knee), Emeka Eneli (knee), Ari Piol (Achilles); Questionable: Diego Luna (hamstring)
Staff Predictions
- Michael Lake: 2–0 Loons
- Tim McLaughlin: 1–0 RSL
- Seth Steffenhagen: 3–1 Loons
- Ashle Paige: 1–0 Loons
- Bridget McDowell: 2–1 Loons, Good things happen on [2] dollar dog night.
- Knives Paige: 3–1 Loons
