WHAT YOU NEED TO NKOW: MINNESOTA UNITED
Welcome back to What You Need To Know, a match preview for Austin FC fans to check in on their next opponent.
Opponent: Minnesota United
Kick Off time: 6:09 PM US Central Time
Location: Allianz Field, St Paul, Minnesota
Former Minnesota United player Joseph Rosales. Photo courtesy of Chris Rodriguez (RDZ Flickz)
History vs. Austin FC:
In MLS play, Austin FC is 5-2-5 (W-D-L) against Minnesota United, including a 1-1 draw in this fixture last season. Austin also won the team’s other meeting at Allianz Field, thanks to a late goal by CJ Fodrey, advancing in the US Open Cup.
Recent Matches:
Minnesota defeated the Columbus Crew 3-2 last week, snapping a two-match losing streak (a 4-2 loss to San Jose in the US Open Cup and a 1-0 loss to LAFC). They are currently 5th in the Western Conference.
Players to Watch:
James Rodriguez
Thus far, his time in Minnesota has been short (only 104 minutes played and one start). He has yet to contribute to a goal for Minnesota this season, although he hasn’t been without some highlights. He’s only signed with the Loons through the summer break, and with the World Cup fast approaching, it’s unlikely that he will make any kind of serious impact for the club unless it starts very quickly.
Kelvin Yeboah
You may remember him from the home opener in Austin, who scored the game-tying goal in the 90’ on a towering header. His presence up front and finishing ability are why he’s the team’s leading goal scorer, finishing off the few chances created (Minnesota is only 23rd in goals on the season). All seven of his goals are from open play, and despite only 64 appearances is already third on Minnesota’s all-time scoring list with 29 goals.
Morris Duggan
Their 3rd round MLS Superdraft pick in 2024 is now an established starter on the team, featuring in the center of their three or five-man backline. He’s played every minute of every match so far this season for the team and has helped to replace Michael Boxall’s presence as he’s been out this season with injuries.
Keys to the Match:
Next Test
Austin FC has won its past two matches, both by a scoreline of 2-0 and at home against two sides near them in the standings. Minnesota has been hot as of late, with five wins in its last six MLS matches. Surprisingly, Austin has played well against top sides in MLS (draws against LAFC and Inter Miami) but has yet to get three points, especially on the road, which they have not achieved this season. This match and the following one on Wednesday against San Diego will tell us a lot about this team’s recent improvement.
Can you ever really come home again?
Joseph Rosales came to Austin FC from Minnesota United, where he spent five seasons playing for the Loons, and has been one of the best signings of the Rodolfo Borrell era. The former Left Back has been moved to play in midfield under Head Coach Nico Estevez, sometimes on the right, but in the past two matches, he’s been put into the center of midfield, and it has worked wonders. His athleticism and cunning are on full display, and when we got to see him partnered up with Dani Pereira last week, we saw what could become a very strong MLS midfield partnership. Combined with Facundo Torres and the now back in the line-up Owen Wolff, and Austin could suddenly feature plenty of strong midfield options that can be effective in the attack and defending, and still be able to bring the likes of Ilie Sánchez and Nicholas Dubersarsky off the bench if needed.
Road Woes
Austin has never been a strong road team, and MLS is a league where home teams have more than most home-field advantage, but in five away matches this season, Austin is still winless with only two points in five matches (and an embarrassing loss against Louisville City in the US Open Cup). Their goal difference in those games is an ugly -8.
Prediction:
Austin FC: 1
Minnesota United: 2
WRITTEN BY SCOTT SPECHT
