We’re throwin’ down Texas-style at Allianz Field this weekend, with Austin FC set to travel up to Minnesota for a lovely Sunday evening of soccer. It’s MNUFC’s 12th game of the season, their fifth home game of 2026, and the best show in town this weekend. Oh, you’re watching the playoffs? Whatever you’re referring to, it’s the wrong sport. It’s soccer season. 

Minnesota United (6-3-2)

Run of Form: W-L-L-W-W (All competitions)

The Loons had a bit of a Californian hiccup recently, dropping their U.S. Open Cup match against San Jose and the following league game against LAFC. Someone must have scared them, though, because the hiccup was short-lived. An unlikely, impressive comeback against a Columbus side that is starting to turn their season around showed that the Loons’ spirit wasn’t broken, helping them keep pace in an extremely competitive Western Conference. 

Austin FC (3-4-4)

Run of Form: W-W-L-D-L (All competitions)

2026 has been somewhat of a struggle for El Tree, but you wouldn’t know it if you only watched the last two weeks of action. A pair of consecutive 2-0 wins in league play have seen the club from Texas’ capital nearly double their point tally, and with Myrto Uzuni finding the back of the net in each of those victories, the Verde and Black will be feeling confident ahead of this rematch. 

Keys to the Match:

I’ve Seen This Before…

This key works on multiple levels, guys, so stay with me. On one hand, this is the second time your Loons will have played against Austin this season, meaning both teams will have a finer sense of how the other is trying to play. On the other hand, there have been 10 league games since that first match, and Coach Knowles has steadily gotten his team to open up their playing style. We’ve seen the Loons win games by keeping the ball and playing through the opponent (FC Dallas), earn scrappy results through clinical set piece play (Columbus), and even come out on top in relatively end-to-end affairs (Portland). No matter what they come up against, they pose a serious scoring-threat to their opposition. Last time out, it was an open game in which both teams scored from a corner and a late Yeboah header secured a point for the visiting Loons. I imagine the Loons will find more success from the run of play in this return fixture, with the likes of Tomás Chancalay and Joaquín Pereyra really growing into their roles as the season has progressed. I reckon it’s in the Loons’ best interests to use some of the selective pressing we saw against Columbus to set the tone early in the hopes of getting two more points out of this one than they did in the last Austin match. 

Hot Hand or Captain’s Band?

Club captain Michael Boxall made his long-awaited return from injury as a second-half substitute in Columbus, and he looked as fresh as ever. During his time out of action, though, the partnership formed between Jefferson Diaz, Morris Duggan, and Nicolás Romero has been nothing short of fantastic, making it hard to imagine taking any one of them out of the lineup. Similarly, the emergence of Owen Gene as a legitimate starting option in the double pivot has kept longtime Loon Wil Trapp on the bench more often than not. These young players have made the most of the opportunities afforded them, and given their form, it’s no longer a foregone conclusion that Trapp and Boxall will be in the starting XI. Should Boxall start, it seems likely that one of Diaz or Romero will make way, with Duggan shifting wide and Boxy taking the middle. Alternatively, this could be an opportunity to return to the four-man backline that Knowles experimented with earlier this season, as Boxall’s leadership and skill were keys to making that system work for the Loons. If that’s the case, one could imagine experience in the middle of the park would be a welcome addition, and the inclusion of Trapp over Gene might make more sense. No matter who fills each position on matchday, though, this group is showing the kind of internal competition for spots that is characteristic of the best teams in the sport. 

Once a Loon, Always a Loon

Loons fans will recognize a few familiar faces this weekend, with the likes of Joseph Rosales and Christian Ramirez now plying their trade in Verde and Black. Rosales has been showcasing his versatility as of late, lining up in central and wide midfield positions to get on the ball and make things happen. Ramirez has brought his goal-scoring touch with him to Texas’ capital, scoring twice in the last four games. Consistent squad rotation makes it somewhat difficult to predict what Austin’s exact approach will look like, but these two have firmly played their way into Head Coach Nico Estévez’s plans. Whoever slots in at defensive midfield will have to be mindful of Rosales’ playmaking ability, as he’ll be able to carve out more than a few chances if left unchecked. It’s likely that Ramirez won’t be used until late in the game, when his clinical finishing ability could end up being the decisive factor. Some strategic subbing from the Loons could nullify Austin’s x-factor from the bench, whether that means saving Boxy for a late sub appearance to freshen up the defense late or adding another man to the midfield if indeed we see a return to the four-man backline.