Preview | LAFC at Minnesota United 9/13/22

LAFC at Minnesota United

Tuesday, September 13, 2022

5:00pm PT

Allianz Field - St. Paul, Minnesota

TV: KCOP 13, Estrella 62

Radio: 710 AM ESPN, ESPN LA App, 980 AM La Mera Mera

LAFC suffered its fourth-straight road loss after falling to FC Dallas 2-1 on Saturday, Sept. 10. The Black & Gold now have a quick turnaround and travel to face Minnesota United FC on Tuesday at Allianz Field.

The Club is 19-8-3 on the season and will have an opportunity to clinch the top seed in the Western Conference with a win vs Minnesota United FC.

The Black & Gold have fallen to second place in the Supporters’ Shield standings behind the Philadelphia Union, who have 63 points, but LAFC will have the opportunity to be level with the Union with a win on Tuesday.

Minnesota United currently sit in sixth place in the Western Conference standings with 44 points through 30 games played.

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MINNESOTA UNITED IN-DEPTH

Led by head coach Adrian Heath, Minnesota United are in the midst of a battle for a spot in the Audi 2022 MLS Cup Playoffs after being eliminated in the first round of last year’s playoffs. The Loons are in the midst of their third three-game losing streak of the season and have not scored a goal in those three losses.

Midfielder and Designated Player Emanuel Reynoso leads the team with 10 goals and nine assists in 26 appearances. Forward and Designated Player Luis Amarilla is right behind Reynoso with nine goals and five assists through 29 games played.

Reynoso is currently questionable due to an ankle injury but forward Franco Fragapane will be out for his second-straight game due to yellow card accumulation and a red card offense.

LAFC WILL WIN IF

They can remember how to get points on the road. This may be a tough task as the Black & Gold have never won in Minnesota (0-1-2). However, the Loons have struggled to take advantage of scoring opportunities as they have not scored a goal in three-straight games. LAFC will need to control the tempo from the start and take advantage of opportunities given to them by the Loons. Cristian Arango continues to be the biggest threat for LAFC offense – he has scored in four-straight matches and has 16 goals scored on the year.

MINNESOTA UNITED CAN WIN IF

They can take advantage of playing at home. There’s a chance the Loons will be without their top goal scorer, but they have proven are tough to beat at home - having only lost one game in their last seven home matches (4-1-2). The Loons will most likely come out in a 4-2-3-1 formation with Amarilla being their best scoring threat. Midfielders Robin Lod and Wil Trapp will also be threats anywhere on the field. Defensively, the Loons will drop into a 4-4-2 midblock to limit any opportunities for LAFC.