On Saturday, the Vancouver Whitecaps will visit Allianz Field for the first time in the 2023 MLS campaign to take on Minnesota United, the team that ended their playoff hopes a year ago.
So far this season, the Loons have yet to lose, coming back to defeat the Colorado Rapids 2-1 last weekend while the Caps continue to search for their first win of the year, playing to a 1-1 draw versus the Los Angeles Galaxy a week ago.
Match preview
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The Loons are off to a promising start for a second successive campaign, claiming seven points out of a possible nine so far.
Their come-from-behind victory against the Rapids last Saturday ended a five-match losing run for them in regular-season play when facing a second-half deficit.
Although Minnesota have only generated two shots on target in back-to-back fixtures, Adrian Heath has seen his players look threatening and creative in transition, mainly his front four, who have drawn plenty of fouls in dangerous areas.
In two of their three regular-season fixtures, the Loons have been happy to let the other team knock the ball around, accumulating fewer than 40% possession in both of their victories, capitalising on some outstanding positional play and the tireless work of their holding midfielders.
What is most impressive about their form thus far is that they have looked sharp and dangerous on the ball without their Argentine number 10, who was behind most of their chances created a year ago and usually pulls the strings for them in the middle of the field.
Minnesota have never lost to the Whitecaps on home field in this competition, posting four successive clean sheets against them, including on Decision Day 2022 when they won 2-0 in a match that put them in the playoffs and sent Vancouver home.
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Their games have all been there for the taking, but at the moment, the Whitecaps are missing that killer instinct that can turn one point into three.
For a third time this season, Vanni Sartini saw his team take a 1-0 lead last weekend, but in the end, they were fortunate to escape with a single point after a Dejan Joveljic strike was controversially waived off for what VAR deemed to be a handball.
The Whitecaps have pressed effectively and shown to be creative in transition, but they still look indecisive in the attacking third, an area that they have struggled in for a while.
It is not just another poor start to the season, which has to be concerning for Sartini and his side, but also the fact that they are dropping valuable points against teams competing against them for the playoffs, going winless in four straight matches versus Western Conference opponents.
Vancouver's draw against the Galaxy extended their winless run away from home in this competition to 10 successive encounters, while they have only ever claimed one point in Minnesota.
Overall the Caps have only beaten the Loons once in their last 10 games, with that lone victory coming at BC Place Stadium in 2021 (2-1).
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Team News
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The top chance creator for Minnesota in 2022, Emanuel Reynoso, was suspended before the start of the season for failing to report to training camp, with his coach saying he is dealing with personal matters, Mikael Marques has a sore ankle, Ryen Jiba is recovering from a knee problem, while Doneil Henry and Bakaye Dibassy are out because of thigh injuries.
Minnesota will be without numerous players this weekend who were called up to their respective national teams, including Dayne St. Clair (Canada), Joseph Rosales (Honduras), Robin Lod (Finland), Kemar Lawrence (Jamaica), Bongokuhle Hlongwane (South Africa), Michael Boxall (New Zealand) and Kervin Arriaga (Honduras).
A penalty from Luis Amarilla enabled the Loons to draw even with the Burgundy Boys last Saturday, while Miguel Tapias put home the winner eight minutes from the end, the first of the season for each.
Last weekend Ryan Raposo was taken off for the Whitecaps with soreness in his right groin, but he is listed as probable for this game, as is Alessandro Schopf, who came on as a substitute due to a previous right ankle sprain, Russell Teibert is questionable with an issue in his left ankle and Luis Martins will be out because of groin tightness.
Sergio Cordova was selected to the Venezuelan national team for their friendly this week against Saudi Arabia, Andres Cubas may miss this match, having been named to the Paraguay squad for their fixture next Monday versus Chile, and Javain Brown will be a part of the Jamaican team at the CONCACAF Nations League.
Tristan Blackmon notched his first of the MLS campaign in their previous encounter, while Julian Gressel has set up three of their four goals in the regular season.
Minnesota United possible starting lineup:
Irwin; Valentin, Kallman, Tapias, Taylor; Trapp; Weah, Dotson, Fragapane; Amarilla, Garcia
Vancouver Whitecaps possible starting lineup:
Takaoka; Laborda, Blackmon, Veselinovic; Gressel, Schopf, Berhalter, Vite; Gauld; Dajome, White
We say: Minnesota United 1-1 Vancouver Whitecaps
The Loons have done well despite missing their best player, but we believe they will have difficulty controlling this match with so many regulars unavailable due to the international window.
As for Vancouver, it could be the same old story, as they have looked solid through stretches of their games this season but have not proven they can find another gear and take control of a game when the opportunities arise.
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Top tip
Joel Lefevre
