Kick off time
Jun 23, 2024 at 1.30am UK
Allianz Field
Minnesota United
Minnesota United will be wanting a better result here following the 5-3 MLS loss in their previous game against FC Dallas.
In that match, Minnesota United had 57% possession and 21 shots on goal with 7 of them on target. For Minnesota United, the goals were scored by Bongokuhle Hlongwane (32′), Hassani Dotson (57′) and Wil Trapp (99′). FC Dallas got 9 shots on goal with 9 on target. Petar Musa (17′, 38′, 62′), Jesús Ferreira (75′) and Logan Farrington (90′) scored for FC Dallas.
It has been a rare occasion in recent games where Minnesota United have shown defensive steel. The reality is that Minnesota United have been scored against in 6 of their previous 6 games, shipping 10 goals along the way. In any event, it remains to be seen if the trend shall be replicated in this match.
Austin FC
In their last fixture, Austin FC drew 1-1 in the MLS tie with Los Angeles FC.
In that match, Austin FC had 40% possession and 3 attempts on goal with 1 on target. The only player to score for Austin FC was Jáder Obrian (19′). Los Angeles FC had 13 attempts on goal with 1 on target. Kei Kamara (90′) was the scorer for Los Angeles FC.
The numbers tell their own story, and Austin FC have been scored against in 5 of their last 6 games, with opponents netting 12 goals overall. At the back, Austin FC have been far from perfect.
Team News
Austin’s Jhojan Valencia was shown his fifth yellow card of the season last time out which will see the midfielder incur a one-game suspension in this one.
This should see 23-year-old Daniel Pereira make an immediate return to the visitors’ starting lineup having recently served a ban.
Hugo Bacharach Capedevila and Emanuel Reynoso remain sidelined for Minnesota through injury but Moses Nyeman is available to play again after missing the defeat to Dallas through suspension.
South African international Bongokuhle Hlongwane has been directly involved in four goals in his last four matches for the hosts, making him one to keep an eye on here.
Minnesota United possible starting lineup:
Irwin; Adebayo-Smith, Tapias, Boxall, Arriaga, Clark; Fragapane, Dotson, Lod; Jeong, Hlongwane
Austin FC possible starting lineup:
Stuver; Gallagher, Vaisanen, Hines-Ike, Guilherme; Ring, Pereira; Obrian, Driussi, Finlay; Rubio
Prediction
Our feeling is that Austin FC will need to apply a lot of pressure to register a score against this Minnesota United team who we think should emerge victorious.
We’re therefore seeing a good tussle with a 1-0 advantage for Minnesota United when the referee blows for full-time.