Hello again, avid birdwatchers. This may not be an email, but I genuinely hope this match preview finds you well… or at least well enough. I had to add that last part for those still feeling the sting of yet another strong effort from the boys, once again spoiled by the Seattle Sounders. I won’t belabor the point more than necessary, but… yeah, I think we’re all ready to change the Seattle narrative as soon as possible. But let’s move on… to the San Jose Earthquakes. Remember them? From before the Leagues Cup break?
Run of Form
Minnesota United FC
Run of Form: L-W-L-D-L (MLS Regular Season)
Oh, I remember them! In fact, the Quakes are the last team the Loons managed to notch a win against before the Leagues Cup pause. But we’re a long way from July 20th, and what was deemed the “new-look Loons” earlier in the season has gotten even newer since then. While the roster may look a bit different, the goal remains the same. The Loons are pushing to make the playoffs, and the loss to Seattle only delays their pursuit of that ultimate goal. Striker Kelvin Yeboah’s debut performance gives us hope that a playoff spot is within reach, but if the playoffs are a possibility, this matchup with San Jose needs to be the tipping point.
San Jose Earthquakes
Run of Form: W-L-L-L-W (MLS Regular Season)
The Quakes restarted their MLS regular season schedule in impressive fashion with a 2-0 win over conference contender Real Salt Lake. A nice surprise, but it doesn’t change the fact that they remain near the bottom of the Western Conference, seven points behind 13th-seed St. Louis CITY. Also, the last time the Quakes and Loons squared off was just before the start of the Leagues Cup, resulting in a 2-0 victory for the Black and Blue at Allianz Field.
Keys to the Game
Keep Kelvin Cookin’
After notching a brace in his debut for the Loons, it’s clear that striker Kelvin Yeboah will play a significant role in their future, as well as their current plans to push for a playoff spot. It’s a no-brainer to keep MNUFC’s latest DP signing in the starting XI to see if his hot streak can continue. Additionally, I’d be interested to see what happens when Yeboah and striker Tani Oluwaseyi line up together in the same starting XI. Perhaps this Saturday night?
Defending Pieces
While the Loons have noticeably improved their set-piece success on the offensive end, their defense against opposing corners and free kicks hasn’t followed suit. Two of Seattle’s three goals were the result of corner kicks initially cleared by the defense, only to be repossessed by Seattle, and… well, you know the rest. While training this week will likely focus more on defending set pieces, the Loons must figure out how to secure the ball beyond the initial clearance and protect the box better.
Don’t Dismiss Díaz
While defender Jefferson Díaz’s debut didn’t strike quite the same high notes as Kelvin Yeboah’s, the young Colombian certainly showed flashes of potential. Coach Ramsay’s defensive approach emphasizes quick transitions, and Díaz’s ability to play out of the back makes him an ideal fit, capable of covering a lot of ground quickly. He needs to clean up some passing miscues from the Seattle game and work hard to win aerial battles on set pieces, but I believe he can find his place in the Loons’ defensive third moving forward.
