Preview: MNUFC at FC Dallas

Minnesota United heads down south and returns to the Lone Star State for the second of three trips this season. Last time down the Loons fell to Austin FC in the Capital City, but this time it’s a showdown with FC Dallas in North Texas. MNUFC broke their losing streak this week, with a draw against LA Galaxy and are now 1-1-3 in their last five. The Loons sit in ninth place of fourteen in Major League Soccer’s Western Conference with a record of 4-3-5 with 15 points. Tonight’s match against the Toros is the Loons third this week and third match in a series of five games in fifteen days.

Opposition:

For the first time in 2022, the Loons meet up with FC Dallas. After finishing 11th in the Conference and 23rd in the league in 2021, the Toros have had a wonderful start to the 2022 season. Dallas is 6-4-2 this season with 22 points, good enough for 3rd in the Western Conference. FCD is 3-1-1 in their last five, riding a five home match winning streak, and a six match unbeaten streak at home in Frisco this season.

Manager/Player Thoughts:

“Like everybody else, obviously the Open Cup games are coming up during in the week and we’re at that stage now where we’re not far away from getting to the sharp end of that tournament. I don’t know what they’ll do, but they’ve obviously got a lot of depth because their academy just keeps producing players for them,” said Adrian Heath about opponent FC Dallas. “I don’t know who they’ll play but I do know how they’ll play and they’ll be very, very enthusiastic. They’ll be very, very direct and full of running because that’s the way they play.”

In order to win tonight, the gaffer said, “Don’t give anything away. Don’t let them get ahead of steam by giving them something early on. Stay in the game as long as we can and then play our football. If we play like we can, we can cause any team in this league problems.”

“As a team we’re doing very good. Even against LA we defended very well,” DJ Taylor said about the Loons defence. “Obviously, Dallas has very good wingers as well so it’s all about our one-v-one defending and keeping our good shape. I think we just take it in stride. As long as we stick together, stay together, are very communicative, we’ll get the result.”

Injury Report:

Minnesota United FC

Questionable: None

Out: Hassani Dotson (knee, Out for the Season), Niko Hansen (thigh), Justin McMaster (shoulder), Romain Métanire (thigh), and Patrick Weah (knee, Out for the Season)

FC Dallas

Questionable: None

Out: Alan Velasco (Health and Safety Protocols)