Minnesota United attempt to keep away from deja vu vs. Sounders

MLS: Leagues Cup-Minnesota United at Seattle Sounders FCJul 26, 2024; Seattle, Washington, USA; Seattle Sounders FC ahead Paul Rothrock (14) crosses the ball whereas defended by Minnesota United ahead Loic Mesanvi (90) through the second half at Lumen Area. Necessary Credit score: Steven Bisig-USA TODAY Sports activities

Clinging to a two-point lead for the ultimate playoff spot within the Western Convention, Minnesota United kick off the ultimate quarter of MLS play towards their previous nemesis, the Seattle Sounders, on Saturday in Saint Paul, Minn.

Will probably be their third assembly in two months. Seattle — which holds a 12-1-2 edge over the Loons in all competitions since Minnesota entered MLS in 2017 — gained each of the earlier two matches at dwelling by an identical 2-0 scores, June 15 in MLS play and July 26 within the Leagues Cup group stage. Jordan Morris, who leads the Sounders with 9 targets, and Paul Rothrock scored in each contests.

The ninth-place Loons (9-10-6, 33 factors), who’re two factors forward of Austin FC with 9 matches to go, will likely be enjoying for the primary time since defeating Necaxa 1-0 on a Robin Lod penalty kick within the Leagues Cup group stage July 30.

Minnesota gained its final MLS match 2-0 over San Jose on July 20 to finish an 0-7-2 winless drought that was partially fueled by a mass exodus of key gamers who took half in Copa America and the UEFA European Championship.

“I believe for a number of causes it is a actually massive (match) for us as a result of we have performed Seattle twice in a comparatively quick time frame,” Loons coach Eric Ramsay stated. “On each events we had been lacking an enormous variety of gamers and did not really feel we had been as geared up as we wish to be to essentially go and deal with that problem.”

Minnesota hit the summer time switch market exhausting, signing two designated gamers in ahead Kevin Yeboah from Serie A Genoa and Argentine winger Joaquin Pereyra, who will miss the match due to visa points, in addition to defenders Anthony Markanich, Matus Kmet and Jefferson Diaz. The Loons will likely be with out prime scorer Tani Oluwaseyi (eight targets), who has a hamstring damage.

Seattle (10-8-7, 37 factors) enters the match in seventh place and is available in off a 3-0 dwelling loss to Los Angeles FC on Saturday within the quarterfinals of the Leagues Cup.

“Now we have to shift to Minnesota and make a very good sport this weekend,” midfielder Joao Paulo stated. “We have to transfer ahead and attempt to enhance.”

–Area Stage Media