Everton will aim to record their first pre-season victory at the second attempt when they clash with Minnesota United in Wednesday's friendly at the Allianz Field.
The Toffees lost 2-0 to Premier League rivals Arsenal at the weekend, while the MLS side have experienced a major upturn in fortunes in recent weeks.
Match preview
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With 13 points to boast from the last 15 on offer in MLS, Minnesota are the resident form team in the Western Conference and piled more misery onto a hapless DC United side in a 2-0 success on Saturday evening.
Top scorer Emmanuel Reynoso was at the double for Adrian Heath's side to steer his crop to a comfortable success, and their playoff charge is certainly gathering momentum heading into the summer schedule.
Minnesota United now find themselves in fourth place and are within touching distance of Real Salt Lake in third, but Los Angeles FC and Austin FC are riding off into the sunset and are embroiled in a two-way fight for top spot.
Prior to the 2-0 win over DC United, Minnesota had endured a woeful 14-game competitive run without a clean sheet - which stretched all the way back to April - but the home crowd may not allow themselves to get overly confident as Everton go out with a point to prove.
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Everton's final-day 5-1 Premier League defeat to Arsenal back in May was written off by many before the first whistle had blown, with the Toffees still in celebration mode after retaining their top-flight status for another year.
However, the Gunners still proved too strong in Baltimore on Saturday, as Gabriel Jesus and Bukayo Saka netted in the first half to condemn Frank Lampard's side to the worst possible start in pre-season.
There was never going to be an overnight fix for this Everton side, who have still made just the one senior signing in James Tarkowski, and replacing the goals of the departed Richarlison is the next summer task for the Goodison Park hierarchy.
Blackpool and Dynamo Kiev will also test their mettle against Everton before Lampard leads his side into another Premier League campaign, and the former Chelsea man was still able to cut an upbeat figure after the loss to Arsenal.
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Team News
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Minnesota's win over DC United was not exactly the perfect afternoon for Heath, as the hosts lost midfielder Wil Trapp to a hamstring injury with 20 minutes gone, and the severity of the 29-year-old's issue is currently unclear.
Trapp is all but guaranteed to sit this one out as Jacori Hayes prepares to deputise in the heart of the engine room, and a lengthy injury list also includes Kervin Arriaga, Hassani Dotson, Niko Hansen, Patrick Weah, Tanitoluwa Oluwaseyi and Romain Metanire.
Should Heath opt to make a couple of alterations as he prioritises his side's MLS fortunes, Joseph Rosales, Oniel Fisher and Callum Montgomery are all ready to provide fresh legs.
As for Everton, second-choice goalkeeper Asmir Begovic missed the defeat to Arsenal after twisting his ankle in training, but Lampard is hoping that the 35-year-old's issue is only a minor one.
Captain Seamus Coleman is still struggling with an unspecified injury, while Andros Townsend is recovering from his serious knee injury and Allan remains doubtful for Wednesday's game.
Lampard is expected to continue with his three-man defence for the remainder of his side's pre-season tour, and Tarkowski could now make his first start in blue after playing the second half against Arsenal. Fellow centre-back Jarrad Branthwaite, meanwhile, has left on loan for PSV Eindhoven.
Minnesota United possible starting lineup:
St. Clair; Taylor, Boxall, Dibassy, Lawrence; Lod, Hayes; Rosales, Reynoso, Fragapane; Amarilla
Everton possible starting lineup:
Pickford; Godfrey, Tarkowski, Mina; Patterson, Doucoure, Davies, Mykolenko; Gordon, Calvert-Lewin, Gray
We say: Minnesota United 2-2 Everton
Everton come into this game with a distinct lack of preparation compared to a Minnesota United side enjoying one of the best periods of their season so far, and the Loons can provide a thorough examination of Lampard's crop.
The Toffees ought to find their shooting boots on Wednesday, with Heath's side still struggling to convince defensively, but the clinical hosts can strike back themselves in an entertaining stalemate.
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Ben Knapton
