MINNESOTA UNITED FC vs. ATLAS FC
TCF Bank Stadium | Minneapolis, Minnesota
07.15.17 | International Friendly
7:30 p.m. CT

Ahead of a lengthy homestand that stretches into August and following on a week and a half off after their last MLS match against Columbus Crew SC, the Loons’ upcoming international friendly against Liga MX’s Atlas FC will provide a number of different opportunities for the club: a chance to tune up the squad in preparation for four home MLS matches, a chance to get some run for bench players sorely in need of time on the pitch and maybe even a chance to begin to work in some of the new faces the team has recently brought on. The action kicks off at 7:30 p.m. at TCF Bank Stadium on Saturday, July 15.

The summer transfer window opened for MNUFC with the acquisition of winger Sam Nicholson, who joins the club after a successful four-year stint at Heart of Midlothian in the Scottish Premiership. The 22-year-old Scotland native came up through Hearts’ youth academy and has played a prominent role for the club in both league and cup play. Head Coach Adrian Heath is optimistic about getting a good look at him on Saturday.

“It’ll certainly give us an opportunity to look at even maybe Sam Nicholson a lot more,” said Heath. “He’s going to need games, because he hasn’t played an awful lot. This is preseason for him. Might be a bit early for Michael Boxall. But in terms of the likes of Collen Warner, the likes of Collin Martin. People who haven’t played a lot, it gives them a real good opportunity to get some fitness under the belt.”

Boxall joins the team from SuperSport United in the South African Premier Division. The New Zealand native has played both center and right back and should provide MNUFC with a measure of needed depth along the back line, particularly when the team has opted to play three center backs as it recently did against Columbus and previously did against Sporting KC in the club’s Open Cup play.

“Just hearing what Adrian Heath is all about, it sounded like a very exciting challenge that I was ready to jump in,” said Boxall. “I like the challenge of joining the team in their first season. It’s cool to be there from the start as long as you do all the work and help the team progress. And that’s what I’m here to help out and do.”

Whether Nicholson and Boxall see the pitch this weekend or have to wait for a future match, Heath expects them to not only be productive members of the squad both directly and in their effect on the rest of the team.

“I’m looking for them to force their way in to the starting XI,” he said. “I don’t think the starting XI have been under enough pressure to maintain the level of performance that is acceptable to everybody. I think these two will make sure that people in their positions will have to play to their maximum. This was a choice for both of them. Not many people leave Europe, like Sam has done at his age, but he sees it as a step up which is great. And Michael wants to come back and prove that he can play at this level. His career has done really well in the last couple years and I think both of them will be really good additions to the squad.”

Midfielder Miguel Ibarra brings experience playing both against and for teams in Mexico’s Liga MX. After signing with Club Leon in 2015, he actually played the first half of a friendly match for MNUFC before switching jerseys and playing for Club Leon in the second half. He also scored his first goal for Leon against Atlas.

“It’s got great history,” he said of Atlas FC. “It’s a great team. They actually have one of the best defenders in Mexico, Rafael Márquez. That’s already big right there. They added a couple international players. They made the playoffs last year. They’re going to be a really difficult team. It’s their last preseason game before going into their first season game. We know they’re going to come out with their full lineup and try to get all the players to be on the same page.”

Following this friendly, the Loons will prepare to return to MLS action with a match against Houston Dynamo on Wednesday, July 19. Minnesota United’s Special Olympic Unified Team will play their first ever match against their counterparts from Houston following the tilt between the first teams, so be sure to stick around for that. Kickoff is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. at TCF Bank Stadium with pre-match coverage beginning at 6:30 p.m. on My29 and MNUFC Radio on 1500 ESPN.

FIRST TOUCHES

• Atlas has one of the top academy systems in the country, producing many great players including Mexico national team and Real Betis winger Andres Guardado.
• Over the years, Atlas has developed a fierce rivalry with crosstown club C.D. Guadalajara, one of the most famous clubs in Mexico. Separated by 13 miles, the two teams not only clash on the pitch, but for academy prospects throughout Guadalajara.
• Atlas and Guadalajara met in the Liguilla Quarterfinals of the 2017 Clausura. The aggregate series ended 1-1, but Guadalajara moved on because it was the higher seed and eventually claimed the title.
• Atlas is one of the best-attended clubs in Mexico, averaging 37,257 fans during the 2017 Clausura. It was third in the league behind Monterrey (48,960) and Tigres (41,328).
• While playing with Club Leon, Miguel Ibarra had one career goal against Atlas. He scored an equalizer in the 8th minute of an eventual 2-1 home victory for Leon.
• Minnesota has played team from Mexico in friendlies in three consecutive seasons. In 2014, the Loons defeated the Mexico U21 national team in penalty kicks after a 1-1 finish in regulation. The following year, they welcomed Leon. Miguel Ibarra played one half for each club with the match ending in a 1-1 draw. Leon returned in 2016 for a match at Target Field, with the visitors claiming a 4-2 win over MNUFC.
• MNUFC is 3-2-1 in international friendly matches since 2013. It has claimed wins over FC Edmonton (Canada), the Mexico U21 national team and Swansea City (Wales).
• Following its match against Atlas, Minnesota will play four MLS matches in 18 days, all at TCF Bank Stadium.
• Minnesota recently added Scottish midfielder Sam Nicholson at the start of the transfer window. He joins the Loons from Hearts of Midlothian of the Scottish Premiership.
• Rafael Marquez spent three seasons in MLS with the New York Red Bulls.
• Facundo Erpen played four years in MLS from 2005 to 2008 on D.C. United and the Colorado Rapids.
• Atlas Head Coach Jose Guadalupe Cruz has won three titles during his managerial career. He won the 2007 Apertura and 2008–09 CONCACAF Champions League with Atalante, leading them to the FIFA Club World Cup. His most recent trophy came with Puebla in the 2015 Clausura edition of Copa MX.