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Minnesota United
Major League Soccer
Mar 26, 2023 at 12.30am UK
Allianz Field
Vancouver Whitecaps

Minnesota Utd
1 - 1
Vancouver

Garcia (40')
Trapp (58'), Heath (64'), Tapias (76'), Amarilla (90+2'), Bello (90+2')
FT(HT: 1-0)
Becher (90+8')
Blackmon (54'), Ahmed (73'), White (89')

Preview: Minnesota United vs. Vancouver Whitecaps - prediction, team news, lineups

Sports Mole previews Sunday's Major League Soccer clash between Minnesota United and Vancouver Whitecaps, including predictions, team news and possible lineups.

On Saturday, the Vancouver Whitecaps will visit Allianz Field for the first time in the 2023 MLS campaign to take on Minnesota United, the team that ended their playoff hopes a year ago.

So far this season, the Loons have yet to lose, coming back to defeat the Colorado Rapids 2-1 last weekend while the Caps continue to search for their first win of the year, playing to a 1-1 draw versus the Los Angeles Galaxy a week ago.


Match preview

Minnesota United head coach Adrian Heath applauds the fans prior to the match against the New York Red Bulls at Allianz Field on March 11, 2023© Reuters

The Loons are off to a promising start for a second successive campaign, claiming seven points out of a possible nine so far.

Their come-from-behind victory against the Rapids last Saturday ended a five-match losing run for them in regular-season play when facing a second-half deficit.

Although Minnesota have only generated two shots on target in back-to-back fixtures, Adrian Heath has seen his players look threatening and creative in transition, mainly his front four, who have drawn plenty of fouls in dangerous areas.

In two of their three regular-season fixtures, the Loons have been happy to let the other team knock the ball around, accumulating fewer than 40% possession in both of their victories, capitalising on some outstanding positional play and the tireless work of their holding midfielders.

What is most impressive about their form thus far is that they have looked sharp and dangerous on the ball without their Argentine number 10, who was behind most of their chances created a year ago and usually pulls the strings for them in the middle of the field.

Minnesota have never lost to the Whitecaps on home field in this competition, posting four successive clean sheets against them, including on Decision Day 2022 when they won 2-0 in a match that put them in the playoffs and sent Vancouver home.

Vancouver Whitecaps FC defender Javain Brown (23) reacts after scoring a goal against Real Salt Lake goalkeeper Zac MacMath (18) during the first half at BC Place on February 25, 2023© Reuters

Their games have all been there for the taking, but at the moment, the Whitecaps are missing that killer instinct that can turn one point into three.

For a third time this season, Vanni Sartini saw his team take a 1-0 lead last weekend, but in the end, they were fortunate to escape with a single point after a Dejan Joveljic strike was controversially waived off for what VAR deemed to be a handball.

The Whitecaps have pressed effectively and shown to be creative in transition, but they still look indecisive in the attacking third, an area that they have struggled in for a while.

It is not just another poor start to the season, which has to be concerning for Sartini and his side, but also the fact that they are dropping valuable points against teams competing against them for the playoffs, going winless in four straight matches versus Western Conference opponents.

Vancouver's draw against the Galaxy extended their winless run away from home in this competition to 10 successive encounters, while they have only ever claimed one point in Minnesota.

Overall the Caps have only beaten the Loons once in their last 10 games, with that lone victory coming at BC Place Stadium in 2021 (2-1).

Minnesota United Major League Soccer form:
  • W
  • D
  • W


Vancouver Whitecaps Major League Soccer form:
  • L
  • L
  • D
  • D


Vancouver Whitecaps form (all competitions):
  • L
  • L
  • W
  • D
  • L
  • D


Team News

Minnesota United midfielder Robin Lod (17) and Franco Fragapane (7) and forward Bongokuhle Hlongwane (21) and midfielder Kervin Arriaga (33) celebrate a goal by forward Mender Garcia (28) during the second half at Toyota Stadium on February 25, 2023© Reuters

The top chance creator for Minnesota in 2022, Emanuel Reynoso, was suspended before the start of the season for failing to report to training camp, with his coach saying he is dealing with personal matters, Mikael Marques has a sore ankle, Ryen Jiba is recovering from a knee problem, while Doneil Henry and Bakaye Dibassy are out because of thigh injuries.

Minnesota will be without numerous players this weekend who were called up to their respective national teams, including Dayne St. Clair (Canada), Joseph Rosales (Honduras), Robin Lod (Finland), Kemar Lawrence (Jamaica), Bongokuhle Hlongwane (South Africa), Michael Boxall (New Zealand) and Kervin Arriaga (Honduras).

A penalty from Luis Amarilla enabled the Loons to draw even with the Burgundy Boys last Saturday, while Miguel Tapias put home the winner eight minutes from the end, the first of the season for each.

Last weekend Ryan Raposo was taken off for the Whitecaps with soreness in his right groin, but he is listed as probable for this game, as is Alessandro Schopf, who came on as a substitute due to a previous right ankle sprain, Russell Teibert is questionable with an issue in his left ankle and Luis Martins will be out because of groin tightness.

Sergio Cordova was selected to the Venezuelan national team for their friendly this week against Saudi Arabia, Andres Cubas may miss this match, having been named to the Paraguay squad for their fixture next Monday versus Chile, and Javain Brown will be a part of the Jamaican team at the CONCACAF Nations League.

Tristan Blackmon notched his first of the MLS campaign in their previous encounter, while Julian Gressel has set up three of their four goals in the regular season.

Minnesota United possible starting lineup:
Irwin; Valentin, Kallman, Tapias, Taylor; Trapp; Weah, Dotson, Fragapane; Amarilla, Garcia

Vancouver Whitecaps possible starting lineup:
Takaoka; Laborda, Blackmon, Veselinovic; Gressel, Schopf, Berhalter, Vite; Gauld; Dajome, White


SM words green background

We say: Minnesota United 1-1 Vancouver Whitecaps

The Loons have done well despite missing their best player, but we believe they will have difficulty controlling this match with so many regulars unavailable due to the international window.

As for Vancouver, it could be the same old story, as they have looked solid through stretches of their games this season but have not proven they can find another gear and take control of a game when the opportunities arise.

How to watch

You can watch Minnesota United vs. Vancouver Whitecaps and every MLS match this season live on Apple TV. Click here for more details on how to subscribe.

For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.

Top tip

Our expert tipster partners at Sporita.com are predicting over 2.5 goals in this match. Click here to find out what else they are predicting for this game and for more of their tried-and-tested football tips.Over 2.5:data


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Game History

How you voted: Minnesota Utd vs Vancouver

Minnesota United
40.0%
Draw
60.0%
Vancouver Whitecaps
0.0%
5
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1Los Angeles FCLos Angeles34197863432064
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3Real Salt LakeSalt Lake341611765481759
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5Houston DynamoHouston34159104739854
6Minnesota UnitedMinnesota Utd34157125849952
7Colorado RapidsColorado34155146160150
8Portland TimbersPortland341211116556947
9Vancouver WhitecapsVancouver34138135249347
10Austin FCAustin34119143948-942
11Dallas34118155456-241
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