NFL
By: Randall Gimm
Minnesota United is currently tied for 4th in the Western Conference in the MLS with Dallas FC. Minnesota defeated Dallas in the season opener in Dallas 1-0. They also defeated St.Louis who sits at the number 2 seed in the West behind the Seattle Sounders. Minnesota currently has a record of 3-2-1 and have yet to have a win at home in Allianz Field.
Minnesota looks to change that with Orlando City Soccer Club (OCSC) coming into town this Saturday evening. This won’t be a cold weather advantage for Minnesota with the spring (almost summer-like) weather hitting the state with full force. But, there will be something to prove for this team and former Orlando City Head Coach Adrian Heath.
Heath was the coach of Orlando City from 2011-2016. They had great success in the USL (United Soccer League) with 2 championships and 2 seasons atop of the league in regular season play. It was a shock when Orlando City let him go after expanding into the MLS. OCSC was a dominant force in the USL and Adrian Heath has experience in La Liga and is from England, a country with immaculate soccer history. Heath has said, “Orlando will never be ‘just another team’ to me.”
He wants to build a contender in Minnesota and it seems he is on track toward that this season, even without their Star player Emanuel Reynoso. Reynoso is serving a non-paying suspension for not reporting to training camp and there has been no additional information on his return.
Players like Mender Garcia and Louis Amarilla are holding it down on the scoring end of things for the Loons. Garcia has 2 non-penalty goals and Louis Amarilla has 2 Penalty Kick goals through 6 matches. Dayne St.Clair has been on point as well with 4 goals allowed on 13 shots on target. With only 5 goals allowed that is top 3 in the western conference.
Orlando City’s record isn’t the prettiest at 2-2-2, but they have a notable win there. They overcame the 2022 MLS Cup runner-up, Philadelphia 2-1. Orlando is a physical team and they are certainly not a slouch of a team. Minnesota United defender DJ Taylor said, “It will be a tough game. Orlando has quality players and their style of play is tough to defend against. But, we’re at home and we’re going to put our foot down on who we are and finally get that home win.”
Orlando lined up in the 4-2-3-1 formation versus Philadelphia and they scored twice in the first 10 minutes. That was the first time in 35 home league games that Philadelphia allowed more than one goal in a game. Orlando’s ball movement had been superb this season at 87.5% but they allowed about the same passing accuracy to their opponents so far this season.
Minnesota United defenders Miguel Tapias, Michael Boxall, and DJ Taylor are going to be under a microscope this Saturday to interrupt Orlando’s passing attack. Especially when Orlando enters the ball in play from a goal kick. That is how they scored against Philadelphia in the first 2 minutes of play. Keeping contact on bodies during those scenarios is going to be pertinent for Minnesota, all match.
