Minnesota United and New England Revolution enter Saturday's match on opposite paths. The Revs had a rough start to the campaign but have rebounded and are sitting third place in the Eastern Conference. MNUFC had a similar start, but have had a harder time earning points, sitting at sixth place in the West. The Loons have also lost three of their last five matches in all competitions, complicating things as the break approaches.
While the Loons will almost certainly will have more rotation again tonight the club has seen a big return. On Wednesday Michael Boxall played 45 minutes before being subbed out after half-time, his first start since returning from injury. His early substitution was due to slowly reintegrating him into full matches per manager Cameron Knowles.
Tomás Chancalay returns to New England for the first time since making the move to Minnesota in the offseason. Chancalay spent three seasons with the Revs making 58 appearances and scoring 17 goals in his time in Foxborough. His 2024 season was derailed with an ACL tear that the veteran winger came back from last season. Chancalay will certainly come into the match with some extra fire and something to prove in his old home stadium.
The hosts may end up missing their top playmaker in Luca Langoni, who heads into the match in questionable status. On the inverse side the Revs also have six players with at least two goals this season, balancing out the fact only three players have an assist. New England's biggest question will be their defence, who has only pitched three clean sheets this season and only one since 5 April. If MNUFC can manage to score two goals, they should not have a problem winning away from home. New England has not won a single match this season in which they've given up more than one goal.
News & Notes
Tonight just 30 minutes after MNUFC kicks off in New England, MNUFC2 kicks off at NSC in Blaine for a home match against Houston Dynamo 2.
Non-League clubs Minneapolis City SC and Minnesota Aurora play home matches tonight at 5pm in Minneapolis and 7pm in Eagan.
Jefferson Díaz is out for tonight's match, serving a suspension for yellow card accumulation
Want to watch the match with other supporters? Dark Clouds and Red Loons will be at Black Hart of St. Paul. Dark Clouds will have an additional watch party at Beckett's in Uptown Minneapolis. TNE will be at The Local in downtown Minneapolis.
TV time is set for 6:30pm tonight with kickoff happening at approximately 6:39pm. You can watch on Apple TV and listen on 1500ESPN.
Availability
MIN | Out: Peter Stroud (quad), Julian Gressel (broken toe), Carlos Harvey (lower body) ; Questionable: None
NE | Out: None ; Questionable: Leonardo Campana (lower body), Ilay Feingold (lower body), Luca Langoni (lower body)
Staff Predictions
- Bridget McDowell: 2–0 Revs
- Seth Steffenhagen: 1–1, Chancalay for the tie
- Michael Lake: 1–0 Revs
- Tim McLaughlin: 1–0 Minnesotas
- Ashle Paige: 2–1 Loons, Chancalay winner
- Knives Paige: Loading . . .
