- HELLO DALLAS MY OLD FRIEND: Over Minnesota’s four years in MLS, the Loons and FC Dallas have gone blow for blow. In nine total games, MNUFC have won four games at home: once at TCF Bank Stadium and three times at Allianz Field, including a dramatic 1-0 victory that ended with a clutch penalty save by Vito Mannone in 2019 — an evening everyone present no doubt cherishes in their memories. Dallas have also won four games at their home, Toyota Stadium, and stolen one TCF Bank Stadium in 2018. The Loons have scored 15 goals on 126 shots while Dallas have scored 16 goals on 131. While Dallas have not missed the playoffs over the last four years, Minnesota have hit the higher peak when they got to the Western Conference Final last season. In all, the two teams are consistently matched whenever they meet and always seem to be vying for the same few slots in the playoffs down the stretch of the season.
- MENTAL HEALTH IS HEALTH: May is Mental Health Awareness month, and Minnesota United is honoring mental health at the game against Dallas in a number of ways. With green as the color for mental health awareness, players will have a green ribbon on their jerseys while broadcasters and coaches from both teams will wear green ribbon lapel pins, and the stadium will be lit up green at halftime. Mental health has rarely been far from people’s minds over the past year as the world has dealt with the COVID-19 pandemic and the Twin Cities in particular has reckoned with the repercussions of George Floyd’s murder. The issue came to the fore once again in the game against Vancouver Whitecaps when forward Ramón Ábila honored his brother Gaston, who committed suicide in 2020, after scoring the game-winning goal in the 72nd minute. Minnesota United is committed to normalizing conversation about mental health so that everyone can get the support they need. If you need help, call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1.800.273.TALK or text the Crisis Text Line by sending “MN” to 741 741.
- WHAT TOOK YOU SO LONG: It had been 595 days since fans at Allianz Field have had a chance to belt out Oasis’ “Wonderwall” following a win. The last victory at the stadium with fans in the stands was in 2019 on Wednesday, September 25 against Sporting Kansas City — a 2-1 win that clinched the Loons’ spot in the playoffs. For comparison, there were 399 days between the release of Oasis’ debut album, Definitely Maybe, and its follow-up, (What’s the Story) Morning Glory?, and there were 718 days between the announcement of Minnesota United as the 23rd club in MLS on March 25, 2015 and the club’s first home game against Atlanta United at TCF Bank Stadium on March 12, 2017.
