Alright, folks. Minnesota’s hosting Miami this weekend and that feels like a pretty big deal, so in the interest of getting down to business, I’m not going to beat around the bush too much. Here’s what we know:

1. We’ve only played Miami once, and that was in 2022, or 1 PM (Pre-Messi).
2. That is not a real abbreviation.
3. These guys are good — like, Supporters’ Shield-winning, 21-points-to-their-name, Barcelona 2.0 good.

Don’t worry, though. I’ve got one more:

4. Minnesota United has never looked this good.

Run of Form

Minnesota United FC (5-2-4)
Run of Form: W-L-D-D-W

Minnesota’s roster has so much potential, and we’ve seen it manifesting in new ways as of late. After back-to-back draws and a tough loss to Vancouver, Coach Ramsay flipped the switch in his squad against Austin. Julian Gressel, who formerly donned the pink down in Florida, recently became a Loon, and he’s already hit the ground running with his club debut this past Saturday. His arrival and some new formation risks unlocked a version of the Loons that allowed players like Pereyra and Robin Lod to get farther up the field, creating new energy in the attacking third with Tani Oluwaseyi. Joaquín Pereyra and Anthony Markanich scored their first goals for the Black and Blue on Matchday 11. Dayne St. Clair is leading the whole league in clean sheets. MNUFC is second in the West with 19 points, having only lost twice in 11 games. The Loons are in high gear and looking to leap to the next level of their game. What better stage to show off that kind of evolution than this upcoming one against Miami?

Inter Miami CF (7-3-1)
Run of Form: W-L-L-L-W (All Competitions)

The reigning Supporters’ Shield champs have a lot of strengths, but they’re operating under high pressure right now. Vancouver beat Miami twice, knocking them out of the Concacaf Champions Cup, and the Herons lost to FC Dallas in between their CCC defeats after sacrificing a 3-1 lead in the second half. Granted, some of that Dallas loss might have to do with squad rotation, but Miami is coming off a bit of a rough patch. For a club that operates under intense global scrutiny, losing to a team from Minnesota — a place many of their 17 million Instagram followers probably never even think about — would not be a good look. Having fallen short of their shot at MLS Cup last year and Champions Cup this year, they’re especially motivated to return to glory. They did destroy the New York Red Bulls 4-1 last week, and because they’re no longer playing in other competitions, it looks like they’ll be wanting to put their strongest foot forward this weekend.

Keys to the Match:

Put the Pressure On

Last weekend’s game against Austin was the first time this season we saw the Loons gravitate away from their classic 5-3-2, and the result was three goals and three points. The flexibility offered by a 5-man backline allows the Loons to press by simply shifting up and over, as they did in Texas’ capital. That press is key to Minnesota’s success — heavy pressure that makes the opponent nervous, forcing them to make mistakes. When their opponent does have possession in a dangerous spot, Minnesota is also adept at defusing a dangerous situation on a dime, as the squad is at the top of the league for tackles in the defensive third (113) and fourth in interceptions (119). According to good ol’ FBref, a defender is responsible for the initial goal-creating event in a third of Minnesota’s goals. Such a dedicated defense allows midfielders and attackers to remain far enough up the field that they’re open and ready when possession shifts.

Counter, Counter, Counter

Miami is most at home in the attacking third, and last season’s scoring stats certainly show it. Luis Suárez and Lionel Messi were tied (with Denis Bouanga) as runner-ups for the Golden Boot with 20 goals. They haven’t had quite the same start this year, but they’ve also been balancing CCC play up until recently, and Suárez is tied for second in the league in assists. Their whole attack can be a little overwhelming — even Sergio Busquets and Jordi Alba like to get forward on the field — but that also makes them incredibly vulnerable to counter attacks, a large reason for their CCC losses. Their momentum often gets lost in transition; they push numbers up the field and often can’t get back fast enough to keep the ball away. That bodes very well for a Loons side that specializes in lethal counter attacks. The Black and Blue are young, fast, and great in transition play. Plus, they’re second in the league for clearances, where Miami falls into the bottom three. That makes Minnesota a very specific kind of threat to the Herons, and they’ll have to up their defensive game to keep the Loons out.

It's the Same Game

Names have power, or whatever they said in Harry Potter, and it’s not news that Miami’s got a lot of big ones to throw around. I can’t write an article about them without addressing the Messi in the room, but listen: I don’t think we should be cowering in fear as though we’ve never seen anything approaching his greatness before. It’s that mindset that gives the visitors the glory before they even touch Minnesotan soil. Don’t get me wrong — I know that Lionel Messi is quite possibly the best soccer player in the world. I named a stuffed dog after him when I was a kid; I get the appeal. But the reality is this league is filled with top talent. Right now, Messi’s not leading the league in goals, not in line for the Golden Boot. Miami isn’t at the top of the ladder. Minnesota faced a Vancouver side two weeks ago that just mopped the floor with the Herons. The Loons have gone up against plenty of stiff competition, week in and week out, in this league. The Black and Blue proved against Austin that even in varying formations, their defense is a veritable brick wall. They know what they’re good at. They just need to keep doing it.