Preview: Matchday 4 MNUFC at Colorado Rapids

Tonight at 9 PM, Minnesota United FC faces off with Colorado Rapids for the first time in the 2021. Once again tonight Minnesota United will also be looking for their first points of the season. So the question is whether or not the winless and pointless Loons will be able to manage to scrape out points tonight in Colorado.

Opposition:

Last Saturday night expansion side Austin FC grabbed their second win of the season, at the same time Colorado grabbed their first win from Vancouver Whitecaps. The Rapids head into the match sitting at 1-1-1 with 4 points on the young season and sit at 11th (of 13) in the Western Conference. Similar to MNUFC the Rapids have struggled at scoring, having scored only two goals across three games. One of those being scored by Andre Shinyashiki and the other by Diego Rubio.

However neither of those players have really been a thorn in the side of Minnesota United. Rubio only has one assist across eight appearances against MNUFC. While Shinyashiki has score just one goal in five appearances against Minnesota. In net however William Yarbrough is expected to start. He has given up five goals this season and hasn’t done much better against MNUFC, giving up 5 goals in just the last two matches against the Loons.

Manager/Player Thoughts:

While Yarbrough has not had great outings against MNUFC the Loons have not done well offensively this year however. Something that Adrian Heath knows needs to change, saying.

“Overall, as I said, we need to be better in both boxes.”

And while the locker room is not happy with how the club is performing, Hassani Dotson stated they do know they have work to do.

“We’re disappointed with the results but we have to focus on the next one and try not to let the past negative feelings affect this next opportunity to get our first point and hopefully our first win of the season.”

However Patrick Weah had a very good opportunity last week and could be the spark Minnesota needs going forward. Weah himself said about the near goal,

“That moment, when I go in, I was just motivated to help my team come back because we were 1-0, and I saw Justin [McMaster], he’s a great player, pick his head up and I had to beat the defender to the ball. Unfortunately, it didn’t go in but like I just put my head on the line, I didn’t care if I would’ve gotten a concussion or everything, I just wanted to beat the defender to the ball. And unfortunately, it didn’t go in, but it’s just the start, got to keep learning and working.”

Injury Report:

Minnesota United FC

• Questionable: Robin Lod (chest) and Jacori Hayes (right thigh)
• Out: Ike Opara (undisclosed) Niko Hansen (left thigh), Bakaye Dibassy (left thigh), and Nabilai Kibunguchy (concussion)

Colorado Rapids

• Questionable: None
• Out: Steven Beitashour and Braian Galván