Vancouver Whitecaps FC vs. Minnesota United FC
BC Place | Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
5.6.2023 | MLS Week No. 11 | MLS Game 10
9:30 p.m. CT (Exclusively on AppleTV’s MLS Season Pass)
Another trip to the Pacific Northwest is on the horizon as Minnesota United prepares for their second matchup of the season with the Vancouver Whitecaps. With just one point separating these sides after nine games, 2023 has been remarkably similar for these Western Conference rivals. The Caps have scored more and conceded less, notching five goals in their big win against Montreal a few weeks ago. Neither team is in peak form at the moment, though Vancouver is on a decent run. Both teams could use a three-point boost right about now; this should be a lively one.
Minnesota United -
Run of Form: W-L-L-L-D
After their hot start to the season, the Loons have cooled down quite a bit. Goals are few and far between, but their defensive acumen has remained top-notch. They’re generating chances and finding themselves close to goal, but fine margins and a general streak of lackluster finishing have left them winless in their last four league fixtures. Sang Bin Jeong has been showing flashes of extreme quality while building match fitness, providing a creative spark and a commendable work rate in his appearances thus far. Last weekend’s draw against FC Dallas showed encouraging signs of life; Adrian Heath will be hoping to use that match as a springboard as his squad looks to get back to winning ways.
Vancouver Whitecaps -
Run of Form: D-W-W-D-D
While our Canadian friends are unbeaten in their last five league matches, the margins have been fine indeed. Two consecutive scoreless draws against Austin and Colorado revealed scoring struggles that mirror MNUFC’s recent form in front of the net. In that five-game run, the Whitecaps’ only commanding performance came against Montreal, a team wallowing at the bottom of the Eastern Conference. If you throw in their 6-0 aggregate defeat to LAFC in the Concacaf Champions League, the story behind the unbeaten run takes a bit of a negative, albeit realistic, turn. The Caps have been solid at home this year, though, earning eight of their 11 points at BC Place. If the Loons are going to rediscover their road-warrior form, they’re going to have to earn it.
Keys to the Match:
Strikers Not Striking
After registering 17 total shots against Dallas, it’s clear that the MNUFC offense is capable of causing trouble. However, only five of those shots were on target—that’s less than 30%. This stat isn’t too dissimilar from league averages, and while it is encouraging that shots are coming, it is alarming how inefficient the conversion rate has been. Luis Amarilla has just two goals on the season, both penalties. He’s only managed four shots on goal this year, but he’s constantly finding himself in the right position. Likewise, Ménder García has two, both from the run of play. No matter who’s in the game, they’re going to get service; the important part is directing it on target.
Win the Midfield
Both of these sides have strong midfield cores. For the Whitecaps, Andrés Cubas and Ryan Gauld present traditional options, with Cubas covering box-to-box to free Gauld up for more creative work. However, the driving force of Vancouver’s midfield isn’t immediately recognizable as a midfielder. German right-back turned American midfielder Julian Gressel has tallied four assists and one goal from center-mid this season, proving that semi-old dogs can indeed learn new tricks. His creative play in the middle of the park has been the key to 23-year-old Simon Becher’s breakout campaign and has generally elevated his team’s all-around threat. Trapp and Dotson were exceptional against Dallas, but this midfield battle will be even tougher.
Higher and Higher
In the draw against Dallas, fullbacks DJ Taylor and Kemar Lawrence pushed higher up the pitch, adding width and creating a lot of opportunities for the Loons. This freed up the wingers to get into the box, giving the Loons a chance to get more crosses into the box and force their opposition to defend in some chaotic moments. The overloads up top were a welcome addition to MNUFC’s game, and the lack of dropoff in defensive dependability was the cherry on top. Against a stingy, talented Vancouver side, proper use of the fullbacks could be the difference between three points and zero. They need to be prepared to put in another end-to-end performance.
