Minnesota United will be looking to extend their unbeaten run when they play a struggling Sporting Kansas City side at Allianz Field on Saturday evening in MLS.
The hosts are looking good to finish inside the top nine of the Western Conference as the regular season reaches its conclusion, whereas Sporting KC still have work to do in order to make the playoffs.
Match preview
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Minnesota extended their unbeaten run in MLS to five matches last weekend with a share of the spoils against New England Revolution at Allianz Field, although the hosts were close to losing for the first time in the league since July 9.
Former Aston Villa midfielder Carles Gil had New England ahead in the first period, but intense pressure from Adrian Heath's men paid off when substitute Franco Fragapane bagged a 93rd-minute equaliser, registering his first goal of the 2023 campaign.
United are one of few teams that have not tasted defeat since MLS action returned following the Leagues Cup break - a damaging 5-0 loss to Nashville SC in that particular competition halted their progress at the quarter-final stage on August 12.
Heath's side sit seventh in the Western Conference standings with seven matches left to play of the regular season, although a mere four-point buffer to Austin FC in 10th means Minnesota need to continue their decent form of late to reach the playoffs.
The Loons have struggled to earn points consistently at Allianz Field so far this term, earning just three wins from their 13 home encounters to date, with only basement dwellers Colorado Rapids managing fewer.
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Sporting Kansas City were the next side to take on the Inter Miami juggernaut last weekend, with the Herons handing KC their first loss since returning from an indifferent Leagues Cup campaign.
Peter Vermes's men netted the first and final goals of the contest at DRV PNK Stadium, but a brace from Leonardo Campana and a strike from Facundo Farias gave Miami the victory whilst Lionel Messi was busy on international duty with Argentina.
After finishing 12th in the Western Conference in 2022 and missing out on the playoffs, SKC will be desperate to avoid a similar fate this time around, but they currently find themselves in the same position in the league standings, even if they are just two points behind ninth-placed Dallas.
Unlike last year, Vermes's men have an attacking talent who has the capability of firing the team into the top nine, with Mexican Alan Pulido netting 13 times in 21 MLS appearances since returning from a serious knee injury which kept him sidelined for 12 months.
Sporting KC have won the last two encounters against Minnesota by an aggregate score of 7-1, although both of those matches were played out in front of an intimidating home crowd at Children's Mercy Park.
Team News
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Minnesota United have a couple of long-term injuries in their medical room ahead of the visit of Sporting KC this weekend, with winger Robin Lod yet to return from a knee injury suffered in late May.
Kervin Arriaga has not played for the Loons since the defeat to Chicago Fire in the group stage of the Leagues Cup in July, meaning a pairing of Jan Gregus and Will Trapp should be in the engine room for the hosts on Saturday evening.
Last weekend's goalscorer Fragapane could be rewarded with a start at the expense of Colombian Mender Garcia, with the 24-year-old only managing three goals in 25 MLS appearances in 2023.
Sporting KC continue to fight on with limited options at right-back, with 37-year-old Graham Zusi still recovering from a hamstring issue sustained in July, meaning academy graduate Jacob Davis will retain his place in the visitors' defence.
Whilst one youngster cements his place as first-team regular for Kansas, another sits in the medical room, with striker Stephen Afrifa sidelined until later this month due to a hamstring injury.
Kayden Pierre enjoyed a breakthrough campaign in MLS last term after featuring in 19 matches, but a hamstring injury has limited the 20-year-old to a single appearance in 2023.
Minnesota United possible starting lineup:
St. Clair; Taylor, Boxall, Tapias, Bristow; Trapp, Gregus, Hlongwane, Reynoso, Dotson; Fragapane
Sporting Kansas City possible starting lineup:
Melia; Davis, Rosero, Fontas, Ndenbe; Gutierrez, Walter, Thommy; Russell, Salloi, Pulido
We say: Minnesota United 2-1 Sporting Kansas City
Despite Minnesota's struggles to earn maximums at Allianz Field this year, the Loons are currently on a good run in front of their home faithful and should be confident of extending it on Saturday evening.
Sporting KC have conceded seven goals in their last two outings in all competitions, and we are expecting a third straight away defeat for Vermes's men this weekend.
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Top tip
Carter White
