Preview: Minnesota United vs FC Dallas

Tonight Minnesota United caps off what has been a very strange and weird 2020 Major League Soccer season. The match on 2020 Decision Day sees the Loons face FC Dallas for what seems like the millionth time this season, but this is a massive must win match. A win and MNUFC will host a first round match against either Colorado Rapids, FC Dallas, or Los Angeles Football Club. Without a win, the Loons will be on the road no matter what happens with other results tonight.

Run of Form:

Minnesota comes into tonight’s match with a 2-0-3 record in their last five, which includes the 2-2 come from behind draw against Chicago on Wednesday night. Not only that but the Loons are on a seven match unbeaten streak dating back to September 27th. MNUFC also currently sits with a very good home record, losing only one match this season at Allianz Field.

The opponents ion FC Dallas actually come in on just as strong of a run as MNUFC. The Toros are 3-1-1 over their last five with all three wins coming in a row. That is honestly an incredible run considering FCD has been playing twice a week for almost two straight months. Currently Dallas also sits in 4th place in the Western Conference; and unlike the Loons who need to win to get a home playoff match, all FCD has to do is not loose.

Manager Thoughts:

Minnesota United as noted is on that seven match unbeaten streak, which is nothing to scoff at. But Adrian Heath wants to go into the playoffs with momentum.

“Well it’s nice. As you said, it’s seven games, can we make it eight? Can we go into the playoffs with some momentum? Can we go and get a home field advantage, which is a lot at stake this weekend. But if we play like we did in the second half the other night, then we have a chance.”

Heath is also expecting the game to be close as were previous matches.

“Well the games are generally very tight at home. We’ve had the better of them a couple times at home but all the games have been really, really tight. I don’t expect anything different. They’ve got good dynamic players, very good on the counter attack so we’re going to have to make sure that we play to our best, I think, to go and get the result.”

Other Notes:

As noted earlier Minnesota United has to win the match in order to have a home playoff match. A win tonight would give the Loons a 1.62 PPG mark and drop Dallas to a 1.55 PPG mark. And if that happens MNUFC would host Dallas in the first round, unless Colorado also wins. If the Rapids win that would put Colorado up into 5th place with a 1.56 PPG mark. But that is again all only if the Loons can win.

However with a draw or loss it is possible, if LAFC and Colorado both win, for Minnesota to drop as far as 7th place in the Western Conference standings.

Injury Report:

Minnesota United FC

• Questionable: None
• Out: Tyler Miller, Luis Amarilla, Ike Opara, Osvaldo Alonso, Jacori Hayes, Aaron Schoenfeld

FC Dallas

• Questionable:
• Out: Paxton Pomykal and Bryan Acosta