By the time Friday night’s match against FC Dallas kicks off it will have been 34 days since Minnesota United last played in front of a friendly crowd. After more than a month away, the Loons are eager to play on their home turf.
A lot has happened since MNUFC was last seen at TCF Bank Stadium. The Loons thrillingly advanced and were subsequently knocked out of the U.S. Open Cup and dropped a pair of road matches to Sporting Kansas City and Colorado Rapids in MLS play.
With the team looking to right the ship, Head Coach Adrian Heath believes now is the perfect time for a little bit of home cooking.
“Home is home,” Heath said. “In this league it proves to be the place where most teams get their points. We have been competitive at home every game we have played this season. I do not expect anything different this weekend.”
Home is where the points have been for Minnesota. It has four wins and a draw in seven matches at its home ground, resulting in 13 of the team’s 16 points on the season. After two straight losses, and now sitting seven points back of playoff position in the Western Conference, continuing to lock down points at home has become increasingly imperative for Minnesota’s postseason hopes.
“Our goal has not changed,” defender Brent Kallman said. “You have to focus on what is in front of you first. It is going to be game-by-game. The only way we are going to get there is taking it game by game and week by week.”
Adding to the anticipation for Friday is Minnesota’s fifth annual Pride Match. The organization has long demonstrated a commitment to equality and inclusiveness. Three players — midfielders Collin Martin and Sam Cronin and defender Eric Miller — Play for Pride in support of Athlete Ally and the team will sport special rainbow-colored numbers on their kits.
With the buzz surrounding the match and the accompanying Pride Night festivities, the Loons are expecting the home supporters to be on the top of their game.
“It is a really cool event,” Kallman said. “They are doing it all over the place now and it brings a lot of people out. People are very supportive of it. Maybe it will add a little bit extra to the atmosphere on Friday night.”
WHAT TO WATCH FOR: A DIFFERENT LOOK FOR DALLAS
With FC Dallas star midfielder Mauro Diaz reportedly on the verge of a transfer to a Middle Eastern club and not projected to play on Friday, MNUFC is anticipating a new-look shape from the Western Conference’s second place side.
Diaz leads Dallas, and ranks second in MLS, with eight assists and thrives playing behind the striker. In his expected absence, Heath theorized the “well-organized” Toros will invert their triangle in midfield and drop a player behind the two central midfielders to complement their pace in wide areas from their speedy wing players.
“They will come full of fire tomorrow because they always do,” Heath said. “We know what is coming. They are a mobile and energetic team — everything you want to aspire to. It is going to be a difficult challenge.”
With defender Jerome Thiesson still nursing a right lower leg issue and Eric Miller questionable with a left hamstring ailment, Minnesota will have to combat Dallas' speed out wide and dangerous pieces up top without its two first-choice fullbacks. Tyrone Mears has filled in admirably since returning from his own injury, but with a dearth of healthy options opposite him it remains to be seen if Alexi Gomez gets another run in the back, if Carter Manley makes his first appearance since May 9 or if Heath opts for a more drastic change in shape as MNUFC seeks a much-needed three points.
