In all of MLS, there are only two clubs that I can confidently confirm play further north than your Loons, and we just so happen to be playing both of them this week. (Portland might be on the list as well, I just kind of eyeballed the latitudes here. They’re not on the schedule until the middle of July, anyway.) Your Loons are journeying to the Pacific Northwest to take on the Whitecaps and the Sounders, with match one in this two-pronged roadtrip set to be played just north of the border.
Minnesota United (7-3-5)
Run of Form: D-W-W-L-W (All Competitions)
Busy schedules make for tired legs, and while MNUFC has utilized squad rotation to stay as fresh as they could, five games in the span of just two weeks is enough to stretch any squad quite thin. Despite losing to a struggling Houston side, your Loons have been playing at a high level as of late, scoring 11 goals in just five games, their most productive stretch of the season. We’ve seen a pair of high-scoring wins, a tough road loss, a USOC thriller, and a frustrating draw in the last five matches, against opponents at both ends of the league table. The Black and Blue are finding answers whenever questions are asked, and as they prepare for two stiff tests on the road, they should feel primed to make a splash.
Vancouver Whitecaps FC (9-1-4)
Run of Form: W-D-D-D-W (All Competitions)
Unbeaten in their last five and with just one league defeat all year: not a bad way to start the season in Vancouver. The ‘Caps record is impressive whatever way you slice it, and while three consecutive draws may have left Jasper Sorenson and company a bit frustrated, the fact that none of those games turned into losses is, frankly, remarkable. They found a way to climb out of a two-goal hole against both LAFC and RSL, stealing a point against Denis Bouanga and grabbing all three against the Claret and Cobalt. This team doesn’t quit, and they’re capable of playing some of the best soccer on the continent. Mix elite skill with an elite mentality, and you’ve got one of the most in-form teams in the entire world.
Keys to the Match:
90+
I don’t think there are many chinks in Vancouver’s armor, but as their record says, they have indeed lost in 2025. That 3-1 loss to Chicago on March 22 feels like a lifetime ago, and while plenty has changed since then, it’s worth taking a look at the only example of how to beat the ‘Caps at BC Place this season. Though the scoreline suggests a smooth Chicago win, this one went down to the wire. After going up 1-0 in the first minute, the Fire were pegged back just 13 minutes later, resulting in an even match until the go-ahead strike in the 62nd minute. Even then, the Whitecaps were within touching distance, needing just one goal to salvage yet another comeback draw. The visitors didn’t put the game to bed until the 90+4’, meaning it took more than 90 minutes of work to do what has proven impossible for any other MLS team to do this season — beat Vancouver. Perhaps it’s cliche, but if the Loons want to take any points away from British Columbia, they’re going to need to be prepared to lock in for a long night that will push them to their limits. The only way to beat these guys is to hit the gas when the whistle blows, press down as hard as you can, and don’t let up until you hear it blow again. This one is going to be intense; get ready for a huge test.
Making Hostile More Hospitable
After getting 27 points in 17 road matches in 2024 (1.59 ppg), the Loons have picked up where they left off this year, taking 11 from seven for a rate of 1.57 ppg. While that rate is impressive, there’s a clear line separating good from great. Vancouver leads the way in points per game on the road with an eye-watering 2.14 ppg, only slightly below their 2.28 ppg in the friendly confines of BC Place. The best teams in the league find consistency no matter where they’re playing, meaning that if the Loons want to keep pace with the top of the league and truly threaten for any trophies in 2025, they’ll need to push that road average closer to 2.0. That’s much easier said than done, but in a season that has seen the Loons flirt with breaking into the league’s elite, it feels like now is the time to push for improvement. A win in Vancouver would bring Coach Ramsay and the boys up to 1.75 ppg on the road, while a pair of wins this week would bring that number up to 1.89. This could be a statement week for the Loons, and considering the form and standing of this week’s opponents, it’s an opportunity to stake a claim for the best in the west.
Rotation, Rotation
I know, you’ve heard enough about squad rotation. Trust me, I’m right there with you, but it’s important, guys. Last week, the Loons were able to use their U.S. Open Cup match against St. Louis to give some players a rest, but a fair amount of regular starters saw the field anyway. Then, we saw a full strength lineup against Austin, meaning that many of the club’s key players are starting to rack up some serious minutes. They can’t afford to give Vancouver anything less than their best shot, as we saw in the home match against the Whitecaps earlier this season. Both teams will have to find ways to rest legs while still putting out solid lineups, with Vancouver looking ahead to their Concacaf Champions Cup final this Sunday. With that in mind, it’s likely that Coach Ramsay will get creative with his substitutions, much like he did against Austin. By alternating between Julian Gressel and Bongokuhle Hlongwane on the right side and Joseph Rosales and Anthony Markanich on the left, the Loons can bring different profiles into the game that change the pace and play of the team just enough to throw the opposition off, even more so than subbing in a fresh forward late in the match. Look for similar substitutions around halftime or the hour-mark that will switch up the game plan, whether that’s a new face in midfield, a different approach out wide, or even fresh legs on either side of Michael Boxall, depending on the state of the game.
