NASHVILLE SC vs. MINNESOTA UNITED FC
GEODIS Park | Nashville, Tennessee
08.14.2022 | MLS Week No. 25 | MLS Game No. 25
8:00 p.m. CT (FS1 and 1500 ESPN)

Saturday night's match in the mountains was a close one. The game started off with a bang when Abu Danladi scored Minnesota United's 300th franchise goal in the fourth minute. Colorado responded in rapid fashion, notching three goals by the 15th minute of play. Just before the end of the half, Luis Amarilla scored an incredible goal to put the Loons within a point of the home team. After an extended half time due to weather delays, both sides found the back of the net once more, leaving the Loons just shy of a draw at Dick's Sporting Good Park. Up next, MNUFC will face Nashville SC in their new stadium, GEODIS Park. Coincidentally, Nashville SC also found themselves with an identical 3-4 loss in their Saturday night showdown against Toronto FC. The Loons and the new Western Conference contenders from Tennessee have only played each other twice, with both games ending in a draw. The most recent meeting took place back in March. A rainy home opener at Allianz Field had Hassani Dotson scoring in the 72nd minute to secure a 1-1 tie. With a short but inseparable history and similar recent runs, Sunday's match is sure to be an exciting event. Additionally, with 10 games left in the season, and a Western Conference where only four points separate fourth and eighth place, a lot will be on the line. MORE

OPPONENT BREAKDOWN - NASHVILLE SC

The All-Star break provided teams with a bit of a needed breather. With it out of the way now, the only thing for clubs to look forward to is the postseason, and both of these teams are hopeful that they can make some noise in October. MNUFC will see several key players return to the lineup, and they will be hungry to right the wrongs of the game against Colorado. On the other hand, Nashville will be coming into this game looking to turn their poor form around before it’s too late. Both squads will be motivated to go for the win, which should make for an exciting, impassioned game, no matter how it ends. MORE

Adrian Heath on Nashville’s approach to playing at home…

“I think they’ve switched their formations around a little bit. They’ve gone with three in the back and then a real solid five in the back. They’ll be back to a four with nearly a diamond in the midfield, so they’ve changed the way they’ve played and a lot of flexibility this year. It’s one of them for the opposing coach where you’re not quite sure what will happen until you actual get there on the day.” MORE

Jonathan Gonzalez on approaching coming to the MLS…

“I was actually looking for that move back a while back. I’m glad it happened. I’m really happy to be back here and just show the league, my family, everything that I can do. Happy to be back.” MORE

STORYLINES PRESENTED BY BMW

REALIGNMENT: While Minnesota put up quite the fight in their trip to the Rocky Mountains, the return of several key players from their yellow card accumulation suspensions might be beneficial to their squad depth, at the very least. All three of Michael Boxall, Robin Lod and Emanuel Reynoso are set to be available for selection after serving their suspensions during Minnesota’s match in Colorado. Reynoso (and Boxall and Lod) still have not played in a Minnesota loss since June 25 against Miami, and the availability of additional choices for Adrian Heath to make on Sunday afternoon and evening should be immensely beneficial for the Loons. Lest we forget, it has not been that many games since Reynoso scored his third brace of the season and ascended to being Minnesota’s leading scorer on the season, a title which Luis Amarilla now trails by just one goal. Fans of the Loons might enjoy seeing the two compete with each other to greater heights for the team’s success, now that they are likely to be reunited on the field. MORE

FIRST TOUCHES

• This will be Minnesota’s first trip to GEODIS Park; Minnesota’s only previous trip to Nashville was a 2020 game at Nissan Stadium, a 0-0 draw.
• Both Nashville and Minnesota have allowed 34 total goals on the season.
• Nashville has been caught offside 54 times this season, second most of any team in MLS (Chicago has the most with 62 times).
• Tyler Miller and Walker Zimmerman were cornerstones of LAFC’s first two MLS seasons, and both departed after the 2019 season for their current teams.
• Former Minnesota sideline reporter and USL Minnesota United player, Jamie Watson, is now Nashville’s TV analyst. MORE