After a few weeks of just a single match the Loons are back to twice a week action, starting tonight with FC Dallas. The Toros come in at 4th place in the Western Conference compared to the Loons 11th place position. Minnesota United has struggled for much of the season, either on the attack or more recently in defence. But MNUFC has a good record against the former Burn, the question will be if they can maintain that.
Minnesota has an all time record of 9-6-7 (W-D-L) against Dallas and have not lost to FCD in Minnesota since 2022. However, a problem has been that Allianz Field has not been a fortress as the Loons and supporters would like. With a 3-6-4 record on their home pitch, the Loons aren't losing at home often, but they're not getting three points either.
For much of the season that has been due to the lack of scoring, but recently it has been the defence. Marcus Caldeira has broken out offensively and in the last three matches the Loons have scored 12 goals. Minnesota's two designated players Joaquín Pereyra and Kelvin Yeboah have also contributed heavily to the offensive spurt as well. Overnight MNUFC seems like a team that can score not quite at will, but very close to it.
That defensive piece has been the issue, with 8 goals allowed in the last two matches, the club is now struggling on the other side of the ball. Historically MNUFC has had a rock solid defence led by centre-back Michael Boxall. But a few lapses here a bad break allowed there and that reputation is going away. Cameron Knowles has specifically called out his club getting caught out on transition, leading to many of the recent goals given up.
Dallas on the other hand has a different struggle to deal with. FCD has scored a whopping 45 goals in MLS play this season, but only 27 have been scored by players not named Peter Musa. Musa is listed as questionable for tonights match and if he misses tonight it would be a huge boost to MNUFC. Musa has lead the Toros to a record of 6-3-4 away from home and 5th in goals scored. Most surprising is how well their offence performs as Dallas has scored 45 total goals on only 33.7 expected goals on the season.
Dallas plays a similar style to Minnesota, sitting 29th in possession, letting their opponents control the ball. Unlike MNUFC though, Dallas has somewhat struggled with that style as they sit 20th in goals allowed. If Minnesota can continue with their scoring efforts they could easily take advantage of that statistic.
News & Notes
Per Cameron Knowles Bongi Hlonwgwane and Peter Stroud remain out due to injury, but no other players have picked up injuries.
Drake Callender is expected to start against Portland, having passed concussion protocol throughout the week.
Full pre-match comments from forward Marcus Caldeira can be seen over on our YouTube channel.
Maurice Malone debuted with MNUFC over the weekend and could potentially see his first start tonight in St. Paul.
There is no march to the match tonight, though Dark Clouds and Red Loons will be at Black Hart of St. Paul pre-match.
TV time is set for 7:30pm this evening with kickoff happening at approximately 7:39pm. You can watch the match on Apple TV or listen on 1500ESPN.
Availability
MIN | Out: Bongokuhle Hlongwane (knee), Peter Stroud (lower extremity); Questionable: None
DAL | Out: Anderson Julio (lower leg) ; Questionable: Petar Musa (upper body)
