- DO YOU WANT THE BAD NEWS OR THE GOOD NEWS: Minnesota United have lost their first three games in a season for the first time in their MLS history. Since the playoff format changed in 1999, only six teams have made the playoffs after beginning the season with three consecutive losses — including two in last year’s topsy-turvy pandemic-affected season. But many teams experience three-game losing streaks over the course of a season. MNUFC themselves, for example, lost their first game of the restarted season to Sporting Kansas City at Allianz Field before dropping back-to-back games in Texas against FC Dallas and Houston Dynamo last year. The Loons lost those three games collectively 8-2, while their current goals for and against is 7-1, and last season ended with a trip to the Western Conference Final. The team’s excellent form down the stretch in 2020 was sparked by the arrival of Emanuel Reynoso, so Minnesota are no doubt hoping the arrival of Designated Player Adrien Hunou can provide a similar lift.
- COME AT THE KING YOU BEST MAKE HIM MISS: By just about every number other than the final score, Minnesota have not looked bad so far this season. They have outpossessed two teams and split it evenly with the third while taking the second-most shots in MLS this season (53). Unfortunately for them, they’ve only scored one goal so far. (At least Colorado has also only scored one goal as well.) More troubling is their poor rate of successful dribbles, given the way the team played last year. As Matt Doyle at MLSsoccer.com pointed out, MNUFC are once again third in dribbles attempted this year, but instead of being top ten in successful dribbles, they’re 24th in the league. Starting midfielders Jan Gregus, Wil Trapp and Osvaldo Alonso have only completed three dribbles total. That inability to break down a defender and get to the next line has pulled Emanuel Reynoso farther up the pitch, making it more difficult for him to break the lines in turn. In short, the Loons don’t so much need more possession per se as they need to do more with the possession they have. Watch for how the midfielders use the ball: If they can move it through the middle third smoothly and either make a defender miss or get it out to the fullbacks in stride, MNUFC will have a much easier time of it.
- A HIGH PRESS IS THE CORNERSTONE OF DEFENSE-OCRACY: While the Colorado Rapids have struggled to score and lost their home opener against Austin FC, they’ve managed four points on the road so far against FC Dallas and Vancouver Whitecaps FC, largely by playing hard-nosed defense. Minnesota will need exactly that same kind of grit and heart to get a result at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park this weekend. The Loons have not led in a game this season and can ill-afford to go down early on the road yet again. Thus far, Minnesota’s defensive press and their attack have both been less than crisp, resulting in space down the attacking right wing in particular for opponents to exploit. Looking back, the Loons’ best half of soccer was the first one they played at Seattle, where they pounced ruthlessly following turnovers and kept the Sounder in their own end. If they can execute the high press as a unit once again, it could cure many of their defensive woes.
