MINNESOTA UNITED FC vs. AUSTIN FC
Allianz Field | St. Paul, Minnesota
08.20.2022 | MLS Week No. 26 | MLS Game No. 26
7:00 p.m. CT (Bally Sports North EXTRA and 1500 ESPN)
When Austin FC come to town this weekend, it will be a battle of two of the Western Conference’s best teams, with the visitors in second place and the Loons in fourth. Both squads are coming off of exciting wins and will be riding high on confidence before this match. Normally, that kind of energy makes for quite an exciting game for anyone watching. Before the players take to the pitch, we’re going to fill you in on what to watch out for.
Minnesota United
Run of Form: W-W-D-L-W
In the last five games, MNUFC have seen a bit of everything. The emergence of Luis Amarilla and Bongokuhle Hlongwane as greater goal threats has added a new dimension to the Loons attack, as shown by the 13 goals scored by the team in that five-game span. Injuries, suspensions, and necessary squad rotation proved to be too much for MNUFC to handle when they visited Colorado, where they saw their seven-game unbeaten run come to an abrupt end. After battling through these injuries to key players, including Kervin Arriaga, Emanuel Reynoso, and Wil Trapp, the Loons are approaching full strength once more. With the Rapids game in the rearview and an away win in Nashville under their belts, the Black and Blue will be eager to test their mettle against one of MLS’ best teams.
Austin FC
Run of Form: D-L-W-D-W
All season long, Austin FC have played fast. There’s scarcely a dull moment when Los Verdes take to the pitch, as their high-energy approach to the game is sure to catch the opponent off-guard, at the cost of leaving their own defense exposed at times. A lineup filled with MLS veterans has shown the value of experience, catapulting them into the Supporter’s Shield race. Golden Boot leader Sebastian Driussi is always a threat to score, but the supporting cast has proven more than capable as well. After coming back from 1-3 down against Sporting KC to win their last game 4-3, the Oaks will be filled with belief and a never-say-die attitude when they enter Allianz Field.
Keys to the Match
Back on Track in the Back
MNUFC have conceded four goals twice in their last five games, exposing some latent defensive frailties. Austin FC are the league’s leading scorers, with 54 goals in 25 games. In this match, more than any other game, MNUFC will need to rely on their usual defensive stability. Aside from these recent blips, the backline has proven to be one of the league’s most reliable, and they will need to prove it once more on Saturday.
Slow it Down
Austin has the best away record in MLS, picking up 26 points in 13 road games. They have a plus six goal differential when playing on the road, making them one of just four teams in the league able to boast such a stat. They aren’t intimidated by hostile environments, and they’re lethal in the attack. When Austin is allowed to play their game, it is difficult for anyone to stop them. Therefore, the Loons will need to take the tempo of the game into their own hands. Keeping possession of the ball and slowing the game down will disrupt El Tree, perhaps enough for MNUFC to get the edge.
Feel the Rhythm
With most of their squad available again, the biggest key for MNUFC will simply be finding their groove once more. Anytime a team is forced to rotate the squad, they risk disrupting their rhythm. If Minnesota United can put their preferred eleven on the field this weekend, they will almost certainly look more comfortable than they did in Colorado. The match last weekend was a good start, but Austin will present a greater challenge than Nashville did. Regardless of the lineups, this game will tell us a lot about how MNUFC stacks up against the league’s top performers.
