Minnesota United can punch their ticket to the second round of the MLS Cup playoffs on Friday when they host Real Salt Lake at Allianz Field in game two of that best-of-three series.
The opening match between the two this week went to penalties, where the Loons walked away with a 5-4 victory after the match ended in a 0-0 draw.
Match preview
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Another solid away outing in match one has Minnesota on the verge of winning an MLS playoff round for the first time since 2020.
The Loons have posted five clean sheets in their last six MLS contests in normal time and are on a six-match unbeaten run domestically.
At Allianz Field, Eric Ramsay's men have won their last two encounters by a combined margin of 7-1, winning their final regular season contest in Saint Paul 4-1 over St Louis City.
Friday will be their first playoff fixture at Allianz Field since 2020, with the Loons winning on that occasion, 3-0 over the Colorado Rapids.
That was also the last year they won consecutive playoff outings in the same season, following up that victory over Colorado with another 3-0 triumph versus Sporting Kansas City.
Minnesota have won their last five domestic encounters when netting multiple times, with the last two being on their home field.
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Despite having nearly 60% of the possession and firing six efforts on target, Claret and Cobalt failed to find the mark in leg one of this series.
While they are undefeated in their last seven MLS fixtures in normal time, Real Salt Lake have not won a playoff round since making the Western Conference final in 2021.
That year, they won two post-season contests as the visitors in Pablo Mastroeni's first season in charge, with RSL losing their last four playoff matches away from home since then.
While they have not had much success away from home in the post-season, Salt Lake have not suffered consecutive playoff defeats in the same season since 2011.
During the regular season, Real Salt Lake won a mere five away matches in MLS, the joint-fewest among Western Conference playoff teams.
Their last five meetings with Minnesota ended in a draw after 90 minutes, though Salt Lake have not won a game at Allianz Field since 2021 (2-1).
Team News
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On Tuesday, Minnesota were without Matus Kmet, who is recovering from a thigh injury, which may keep him out of this upcoming fixture.
Dayne St. Clair made six quality stops in goal for his team to force penalties, where every Loons' penalty taker but Michael Boxall converted from the spot.
RSL were missing Bode Hidalgo in match one due to a groin issue, Pablo Ruiz and Kevin Bonilla sat out with knee injuries, Philip Quinton was sidelined because of a hamstring strain and Brayan Vera is eligible to return from suspension.
Zac MacMath made the first save of the shootout, but Justen Glad and Braian Ojeda failed to convert their penalties, sending Claret and Cobalt to defeat.
Minnesota United possible starting lineup:
St. Clair; Hlongwane, Harvey, Boxall, Diaz, Rosales; Lod, Dotson, Trapp, Sang-bin; Yeboah
Real Salt Lake possible starting lineup:
MacMath; Brown, Brody, Glad, Katranis; Palacio, Ojeda; Chang, Crooks, Luna; Arango
We say: Minnesota United 1-0 Real Salt Lake (Minnesota United win series 2-0)
St. Clair is on top of his game right now, and we believe he may be able to steal another match for the Loons against a frustrated RSL team.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Joel Lefevre
