DON’T GET POSSESSIVE: In Saturday’s 1-1 draw against Philadelphia, Minnesota had 47.5% possession for the entire game. In the first half, they recorded a 54% majority and had a majority of possession in five of the nine possible five-minute increments of the period. In the second half, however, they had a possession advantage in just two of those nine increments. This isn’t necessarily a bad thing for the Loons. Adrian Heath’s teams in Minnesota have often played their best football on the counter, and have played well without possession in the past. In 2021, Minnesota finished below 50% possession in 16 of their 34 games; they averaged slightly more points per game (1.56) in those than in the games in which they had above 50% possession (1.33). All that said, Minnesota also averaged a greater time of possession at home than on the road (over 50% possession in 11 of 17 home games in 2021), so Saturday may be a completely different picture.
LOD-BEARING CAPACITY: Minnesota received one MLS Team of the Week nod after Week 1, thanks to goalscorer Robin Lod. The numbers bear this out, and it wasn’t just about the goal. Lod led (say that quickly five times and you’ll play better in your next pick-up game) the team in xG+xA thanks both to his scored goal and his golden pass in stoppage time to Adrien Hunou — Minnesota’s biggest chance of the entire game by xG. He also led the team in shots, total attacking assists and tackles completed. A locked-in Lod is a great sign for the Loons offense, who you might say could have a lighter load to carry.
ROAD WARRIORS: Lumen Field is somewhat of a house of horrors for Minnesota United, between the 2021 season opener and their untimely demise in the 2020 Western Conference Finals. On Sunday, Nashville rolled in to the Sounders stadium and took a 1-0 victory home with them thanks to an 80th minute goal from Anibal Godoy. They had just 42.3% of possession and only one corner to Seattle’s eight, but they also limited the Sounders to just 0.4 xG and executed on their biggest chance of the game to take all three points. Suffice to say, Nashville will have no fear of coming into Allianz Field on Saturday and playing on the back foot, if indeed the game plays out that way.
