Saturday night is another big test for the Loons as they travel to St. Louis to face 6th place in the West, St. Louis City. City are unbeaten in their last fifteen in all competitions, with their last loss coming on 3 May. But Minnesota United have had huge success at that stadium and against St. Louis in general. The Loons are 3-0-0 in St. Louis against City with an all-time record of 6-0-1 (W-D-L) against the Gateway City club. Minnesota United's only loss to STL City came in fall of 2023 in the second meeting between the clubs.
Recently MNUFC has either struggled scoring or struggled defensively. Minnesota does have 13 goals in the last four matches, but have also given up 10 goals in that same span. With so many matches in such a short period of time, much of the work is being done in the video room. Only ten matches in the season remain and the Loons have to pick up points ASAP to get above the playoff line.
Over the recent transfer window, St. Louis lost key midfielder Marcel Hartel. The 30 year-old German was a Designated Player for City and joined 2. Bundesliga side Hannover 96. That transfer resulted in the loss of St. Louis' #2 scorer, but allowed the club to bring in Rafael Navarro as a DP from Colorado for $12 million. Navarro scored twice in City's last outing against Portland Timbers and already looks to give St. Louis City a huge offensive threat. Already in the top half offensively, Navarro looks to make their attack even better. Defensively St. Louis sit 8th in the league, allowing 33 goals this year. But with only four clean sheets, they do allow goals in almost every match.
News & Notes
MNUFC are 6-0-1 (W-D-L) all time against St. Louis City and are 3-0-0 in the Gateway City. Those wins include being the first team to defeat St. Louis City on their home pitch.
Per Cameron Knowles Bongi Hlonwgwane and Peter Stroud remain out due to injury, but Bongi has joined the club in full training.
TV time is set for 7:30pm this evening with kickoff happening at approximately 7:39pm. You can watch the match on Apple TV.
Want to watch tonight's match with other supporters, there are plenty of options throughout the metro area. Dark Clouds and Red Loons will be at Black Hart of St. Paul, while the Dark Clouds will also have a watch party at Beckett's in Minneapolis. TNE will be at Padraigs Brewing in Minneapolis, while the club has a watch party at Alary's Bar & BBQ in downtown St. Paul.
Availability
STL | Out: Kyle Hiebert (hip), Célio Pompeu (knee), ; Questionable: Tomas Ostrak (hamstring), Jaziel Orozco (illness)
MIN | Out: Bongokuhle Hlongwane (knee), Peter Stroud (lower extremity); Questionable: Morris Duggan (lower extremity)
