Detroit City FC vs. Minnesota United FC
Keyworth Stadium | Hamtramck, Michigan
4.25.2023 | US Open Cup Third Round
6:30 p.m. CT (Streaming exclusively on the B/R App and the B/R Football YouTube channel)
Welcome, MNUFC faithful, to the US Open Cup. This is a tournament unlike anything this nation has to offer, far superior to any other knockout competition you can think of. The likes of Tiger Woods and Rafael Nadal can keep those cheap knockoffs they call the US Open; this is where the real magic happens. In their mid-week break from MLS action, Minnesota United are taking on Detroit City FC in a USOC third-round elimination match. The United Soccer League squad is hosting this one in Motor City, forcing the Loons to deal with a hostile atmosphere and a scoring slump at the same time.
Minnesota United -
Run of Form: D-W-L-L-L
After a hot start to the season, the Loons have cooled off considerably in the last three weeks. Their first loss of the year in Chicago seemed to break their back a bit, leaving the Black and Blue without the finishing touch they needed to finish off their subsequent matches. Hope is not entirely lost, though, as the addition of Sang Bin Jeong to the midfield has provided a noticeable spark in MNUFC’s attack. Likewise, the steady presence of Miguel Tapias continues to prove invaluable to the back line. The Loons have conceded the third fewest goals in the Western Conference thus far (8), and they continue to look solid defensively. If the forwards can start finding the back of the net, things could turn around quickly for Minnesota.
Detroit City FC-
Run of Form (All Competitions): L-W-L-D-L
If Loons fans are feeling bad about their team’s form, Detroit fans must be miserable. With four points from their first seven matches, DCFC are tied for the worst record in the entire USL. They’ve managed to score just three goals this season and conceded twice as many. Though the Northern Guard and the rest of the club’s supporters are known to be passionate, they haven’t been able to push their team to a home win yet this year, similar to their USOC foes. It’s all looking pretty bleak for Le Rouge at the moment, but a US Open Cup match might be just what the doctor ordered to get them out of this funk.
Keys to the Match:
Cupset Mentality
No matter how bad their form is, DCFC will be up for this match. The chance to take on an MLS team only comes around so often, so they will likely do all that they can to take advantage of it, especially on their home turf. Emotions will be running high on the field, on the bench, and especially in the stands. That’s what makes these matchups so entertaining; for the underdog, it presents a chance to prove that the established order is screwed up. All of the ingredients for a cupset are here, but can anyone on this Detroit side cook them properly?
A Chance to Take Chances
With their league form hitting a wall and their attack sputtering, MNUFC needs a break. While the USOC is by no means a restful break, the earlier rounds present MLS sides with a chance to test their depth against some smaller teams. They typically experiment with formations or personnel, giving them the opportunity to look at their team from a different perspective. Maybe we’ll see the return of the 4-4-2 that worked so well in the opening weeks of the season, or perhaps Robin Lod will slot in at yet another new position. Regardless of what lineup is on the field at kickoff, expect it to be different from the usual. While the Loons should be willing to try a few new things out, they must be wary of their foes while doing so. This game means a lot to the home team, and they won’t go down without a fight.
Next Goal Wins
In any David vs. Goliath match, the first strike is often the one that matters most. If David can hit Goliath between the eyes before the big guy even picks up his sword, his cup run could be in serious danger. However, if Goliath lands the first punch, it will likely prove to be too much for the little guys to handle. While this isn’t always the case—see Union Omaha in 2022—it is the most common script. If the Loons can find an early goal, it will ease their worries and quiet the crowd in one fell swoop. Starting fast is more important than ever in games like this, and neither team can afford to slow down if they want to keep their title dreams alive.
