Minnesota United have an opportunity to stretch their unbeaten run at Allianz Field to seven consecutive matches in all competitions as they welcome Austin FC to the Gopher state on Saturday.
The Loons have picked up at least a point in eight of their previous nine MLS affairs, while the Texans are unbeaten in three straight league games, coming back to beat Sporting Kansas City 4-3 last weekend.
Match preview
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When Minnesota extended the contract of Adrian Heath back in June, it was a head-scratcher for many as his side were below the playoff line and struggling with consistency to that point of the regular season.
Since that vote of confidence, he has looked like the right man to lead this team, as the Loons have only dropped one of their last 10 matches in all competitions.
With two games in hand on Dallas for third, they sit five points above the playoff line right now, with two of their next three games taking place in the Land of 10,000 Lakes.
Over their recent hot streak, they have done virtually everything right, playing crisp attacking soccer while setting up well tactically, though they have allowed their share of openings, conceding nine times in their previous three fixtures.
While they were shaky in their previous match at Allianz Field, drawing the Portland Timbers 4-4, Minnesota have usually looked organised and compact at home, conceding just once in their three previous encounters in front of their fans.
Staying firm and holding their position against an attack-minded Austin team will be critical heading into this match and we can expect to see this team try to slow the game down as much as possible given the potency of the opposition.
The Loons have looked poised on the backline in previous matches against the second-year MLS side, conceding a goal or fewer in their four meetings against the Verde and Black, winning their only home fixture against them, 2-0 in 2021.
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The comeback kids in the Texas capital pulled off another Houdini last Saturday, going down by a pair of goals twice, but in the end, coming away with all three points.
We have seen that kind of resilience and late surges from this team all season long, collecting 16 points when conceding first and 11 when trailing by two.
Austin have no fear of stepping into enemy territory with 26 points in their 13 road fixtures, the best record among MLS sides as they seem to be locked into second place in the Western Conference on 48 points, six more than the Toros who are third.
Josh Wolff has this team believing they are capable of taking on all challengers and winning, dropping only one of their last 11 MLS encounters.
They are tied with Los Angeles FC in terms of goals scored this year (54) as numerous players have contributed to their sophomore success, with 13 different individuals scoring at least once domestically, with 15 players picking up at least one assist.
While the result is the most important thing, they have had to make their share dramatic late comebacks because of some poor starts, conceding six goals in their previous two games, five of which were in the opening half.
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Team News
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Franco Fragapane and Alan Benitez both found the back of the net for Minnesota in their victory against the Boys in Gold last Sunday.
Emanuel Reynoso collected his fourth assist of the campaign, moving him into a three-way tie for the team lead with Bongokuhle Hlongwane and Luis Amarilla, while Joseph Rosales set up the winner last week, his second assist of the year.
Dayne St. Clair played a lot better in their victory against Nashville, stopping seven of the eight shots fired his way, while their third-leading scorer Robin Lod is without a goal since May 22 when he tallied in a 2-1 win over Dallas.
Fragapane will miss this encounter with a yellow card suspension, Will Trapp and Romain Metanire have thigh issues, Jacori Hayes has been plagued with a problem in his lower leg, while Patrick Weah and Hassani Dotson remain out with knee injuries.
Sebastian Driussi padded his lead in the Golden Boot race as the Austin attacker notched the winner in their 4-3 triumph over SKC, while Jon Gallagher, Julio Cascante, and Danny Hoesen all found the back of the net, with Felipe collecting an assist.
Diego Fagundez has nine assists to lead the Verde and Black, four more than Driussi and Ethan Finlay, while Maximiliano Urruti had the only tally in their 1-0 win over the Loons earlier this season.
Austin will be missing Hector Jimenez has a left groin strain and Freddy Kleemann is dealing with a left knee injury.
Minnesota United possible starting lineup:
St. Clair; Lawrence, Dibassy, Boxall, Benitez; Arriaga, Lod; Rosales, Reynoso, Hlongwane; Amarilla
Austin FC possible starting lineup:
Stuver; Lima, Cascante, Romana, Gallagher; Ring, Finlay; Corozo, Driussi, Fagundez; Urruti
We say: Minnesota United 2-1 Austin FC
The Minnesota defence on home soil, and when you combine that with a hot goalie who seems to have regained his confidence, we expect the Loons to maintain their strong play and come out on top this weekend.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Joel Lefevre
