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Minnesota United
Major League Soccer
Sep 19, 2024 at 1.30am UK
Allianz Field
FC Cincinnati

Minnesota Utd
1 - 2
Cincinnati

Yeboah (54' pen.)
Pereyra (15')
FT(HT: 0-2)
Kubo (34'), Orellano (45+1')
Yedlin (16'), Murphy (68'), Bucha (73')

Preview: Minnesota United vs. FC Cincinnati - prediction, team news, lineups

Sports Mole previews Thursday's Major League Soccer clash between Minnesota United and FC Cincinnati, including predictions, team news and possible lineups.

Minnesota United take on last year's Supporters Shield winners FC Cincinnati in Wednesday night's gameweek 32 MLS match at Allianz Field, keen to maintain their playoff hopes.

The Western Conference side occupy ninth spot in their division and aim for another positive result against the second-placed team in the Eastern to make a late play for a guaranteed playoff place.


Match preview

Robin Lod of Minnesota United in action against San Jose Earthquakes on August 31, 2024© Imago

Despite a broadly underwhelming season, Minnesota have notched three wins in their last four to push into ninth spot and sit five points off a coveted top-seven place.

The ongoing sequence follows a wretched stretch of games without a positive result where they lost seven of nine MLS matches, playing out two draws in that period.

Although Eric Ramsay's men were recently defeated by Seattle Sounders (3-2) in late August, the Loons have clinched back-to-back league wins to leave them five points ahead of FC Dallas in 10th and five shy of Houston Dynamo in the coveted final spot in seventh.

Having ended 11th in the Western Conference last term, this year's ninth-placed standing with six games remaining puts Minnesota in a promising situation going into the closing rounds.

While the Black and Blue's current standing will see them head into a wild-card round match with the division's eighth-placed side (currently Portland Timbers), Ramsey will back his side to aim higher to secure direct qualification for the post-season competition.

 Luca Orellano celebrates his equalising goal for FC Cincinnati on August 9, 2024© Imago

So will the supporters at Allianz Field, who hope their players notch a fourth victory in five MLS matches against a Cincinnati side already assured a coveted spot.

Despite ranking 10 points off Inter Miami in their division, the second-placed team in the Eastern have little motivation in their final six matches besides maintaining their current position as a seeded team for the playoffs.

That is nearly certain, given Pat Noonan's troops are 12 points clear of Orlando City in fifth as the regular season enters its final stretch.

Regardless, the away side will hope they have overcome the recent wobble either side of the Leagues Cup in which they lost four consecutive league matches, including a 2-0 loss to Inter Miami, before securing four points from the last two fixtures.

Although the Knifey Lions could extend their undefeated streak to three by avoiding a ninth loss this term, it remains to be seen what version of Cincinnati turn up in Saint Paul on Wednesday.

Minnesota United Major League Soccer form:


Minnesota United form (all competitions):


FC Cincinnati Major League Soccer form:


FC Cincinnati form (all competitions):



Team News

Luciano Acosta of FC Cincinnati pictured on July 24, 2024© Imago

Even though he barely played before sustaining his injury, Zarek Valentin (leg) is not anticipated to return until October.

Kelvin Yeboah and Bongokuhle Hlongwane have been decisive for Minnesota in recent weeks, with the former scoring in two of the home side's last four matches and the latter finding the net in three games in that period.

Cincinnati are expected to be without the quartet of Nick Hagglund (leg), Alec Kann (hip), Isaiah Foster and Matt Miazga (both have knee injuries).

Although the away side's form has oscillated recently, Luciano Acosta remains the club's key forward, and he could add to his 26 goal contributions (11 goals, 15 assists) in midweek.


Minnesota United possible starting lineup:
St. Clair; Diaz, Boxall, Tapias, Padelford; Dotson, Trapp; Hlongwane, Lod, Pereyra; Yeboah

FC Cincinnati possible starting lineup:
Celentano; Yedlin, Awaziem, Powell; Orellano, Nwobodo, Bucha, Kubo; Acosta, Gioacchini; Kelsy


SM words green background

We say: Minnesota United 1-1 FC Cincinnati

Having won seven consecutive road matches in the competition, Cincinnati have lost two on the trot heading into Wednesday's visit to Minnesota.

While the hosts have struggled on their turf lately, losing four in five, the visiting club's seeming diminished motivation could see both sides come away with a share of the spoils.


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


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Game History

How you voted: Minnesota Utd vs Cincinnati

Minnesota United
46.7%
Draw
20.0%
FC Cincinnati
33.3%
15
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Eastern Conference

TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Inter MiamiInter Miami34228479493074
2Columbus Crew34199672403266
3FC CincinnatiCincinnati341851158481059
4Orlando City34157125950952
5Charlotte FCCharlotte FC34149114637951
6New York City FCNY City34148125449550
7New York Red BullsNY Red Bulls34111495550547
8CF MontrealMontreal341110134864-1643
9Atlanta UnitedAtlanta341010144649-340
10DC United341010145270-1840
11Philadelphia UnionPhiladelphia34910156255737
12Toronto34114194061-2137
13Nashville SCNashville3499163854-1636
14New England RevolutionNew England3494213774-3731
15Chicago Fire3479184062-2230

Western Conference

TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Los Angeles FCLos Angeles34197863432064
2Los Angeles GalaxyLA Galaxy34197869501964
3Real Salt LakeSalt Lake341611765481759
4Seattle SoundersSeattle34169951351657
5Houston DynamoHouston34159104739854
6Minnesota UnitedMinnesota Utd34157125849952
7Colorado RapidsColorado34155146160150
8Portland TimbersPortland341211116556947
9Vancouver WhitecapsVancouver34138135249347
10Austin FCAustin34119143948-942
11Dallas34118155456-241
12St Louis City34813135063-1337
13Sporting Kansas CityKansas3487195166-1531
14San Jose EarthquakesEarthquakes3463254178-3721


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