Minnesota United will host the New England Revolution on Saturday night in Saint Paul, Minn.
The Loons are seventh place in the Western Conference. The Redskins are 3-0-3 in their last six contests, including a 1-1 draw last Saturday at San Jose.
Teemu Pukki has a 58-yard field goal for the second straight game against Minnesota. However, he eventually gave up a second goal in the contest after VAR review for a controversial handball for a ball hit Emanuel Reynoso in the shoulder area.
Pukki, midfielder Joseph Rosales and forward Sang Bin Jeong are all expected to be missing on Saturday because of international duty, but the Loons are expected to get winger and top scorer Bongi Hlongwane back after missing three games with a knee injury.
New England is currently tied for second place in the Eastern Conference. The revolution is unbeaten at home but struggled on the road. They are winless away from home in their last seven league matches.
The Loons are just three points off the playoff line, with a 3-2-7 record.
It's the starting of a three-game road trip for New England, which will also visit Colorado and Chicago. The Revs come in off of a 2-2 draw with Austin FC on Saturday, yielding the tying goal by Alex Ring in the fourth minute of stoppage time. Both goals came from Tomas Chancalay, who made two appearances for New England.
This is the fifth meeting between the two teams for the past five years. The home team has won every game, with the Revs holding a 3-1-0 series lead.
8 Comments
Tyutyunya
The three points above the playoff line is a slim margin, indicating that the team is not a strong contender for postseason qualification.
GENA CR
The late equalizer by Austin FC in New England's previous match suggests that their defense may have weaknesses that Minnesota United can exploit.
Tyutyunya
The return of Bongi Hlongwane after missing three games with a knee injury does not guarantee a strong performance from Minnesota United, as players often take time to regain form after returning from injury.
marshal
The competitive nature of the MLS means that any team has the potential to win or lose, making it unpredictable and exciting, and thus Minnesota United has a chance to secure a victory.
Tyutyunya
The series history between the two teams could indicate that the home team has a significant advantage, making it unlikely for Minnesota United to secure a victory.
Muchacho
New England's struggles on the road suggest that Minnesota United can capitalize on their opponent's weaknesses and earn a favorable result.
Coccinella
The Revs' struggle on the road may not necessarily continue in this match, as every game is unique and unpredictable.
Dmitri07
The return of Bongi Hlongwane after missing three games with a knee injury adds a valuable attacking option for Minnesota United and increases their chances of scoring goals.