Coming off a much needed win on Tuesday night Minnesota United finally has momentum going there way after an extended winless streak. Joaquín Pereyra's standout performance led the club to their only Leagues Cup win of 2026. Now it's back to MLS play once again and with 16 matches to go there is plenty of football to go in the season.
Mauricio González and Marcus Caldeira had great outings on Tuesday as well, reinforcing the depth the club has in forwards. While set pieces have not been the teams strong suit this season, the Loons still found ways to score in Leagues Cup. Something Minnesota will need to continue especially tonight against RSL. MNUFC has not done well scoring on set pieces this season, which is something the club is looking to improve. Saturday in Utah is a night they'll really need those set piece goals as RSL has only allowed 8 goals in Sandy all season.
“It’s an opportunity for us. It’s a difficult place to play, and they’ve been such a good home team, said manager Cameron Knowles. "They really took advantage of that environment and their quality at home. We have to have multiple different ways in which we can score, and set pieces is certainly one of them.”
Real Salt Lake are in a bit better of a spot than the Loons. RSL advanced in Leagues Cup and sits above the playoff line. Salt Lake are currently on a four match unbeaten run, thanks to their offensive prowess. Sergi Solans (7 goals, 3 assists) and Zavier Gozo (6 goals, 4 assists) lead RSL's offensive production. Solans and Gozo could make it a long night for Minnesota is the Loons defence is unable to shut them down. Defensively RSL are very average, allowing 1.5 goals per match and only holding two clean sheets on the season. But Sandy has become a fortress with only one less suffered at home this season thanks to the effort of players like defender Juan Sanabria and goalkeeper Rafael Cabral.
News & Notes
Nectarios Triantis, Nicolás Romero, and Peter Stroud are out due to injury. As reported in yesterdays Training Tidbits, Nico was training with the second team and could return shortly. AZ Jackson is also unavailable for today's match in Utah, but could be available for selection as soon as Wednesday against Atlanta.
TV time is set for 8:30pm this evening with kickoff happening at approximately 8:39pm on Apple TV.
If you'd like to watch the match with other supporters there are plenty of options. Dark Clouds and Red Loons will be at Black Hart of St. Paul with the Dark Clouds holding an additional watch party at Beckett's in Minneapolis. TNE will host theirs at Padraigs Brewing in Minneapolis and the club is hosting a watch party at Ray J's American Grill in Minneapolis.
Wednesday night Minnesota United hosts Atlanta United in their 10 year in MLS Celebration match. Plenty of former players will be in attendance for the match.
Availability
RSL | Out: Griffin Dillon (foot), Emeka Eneli (knee), Justen Glad (Adductor), Ariath Piol (Achilles), DeAndre Yedlin (suspension) ; Questionable: Saba Lobjanidze (muscle soreness), Morgan Guilavogui (head)
MIN | Out: Nectarios Triantis (lower extremity), Nicolás Romero (lower extremity), and Peter Stroud (lower extremity); Questionable: None
