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Minnesota United: 3 things to watch for vs. the Colorado Rapids

By Tyler Hanson

Apr 1, 2017; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota United forward Christian Ramirez (21) celebrates his goal during the second half against Real Salt Lake at TCF Bank Stadium. Minnesota United defeated Real Salt Lake 4-2. Mandatory Credit: Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 1, 2017; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota United forward Christian Ramirez (21) celebrates his goal during the second half against Real Salt Lake at TCF Bank Stadium. Minnesota United defeated Real Salt Lake 4-2. Mandatory Credit: Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports /
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After drawing 2-2 in Colorado, Minnesota United are looking for a second win when they take on the Rapids for the second time this season.

Minnesota United will certainly be hoping to build off of their 2-2 draw in Colorado last month, and will look to earn three points this time at home. Here are three things to watch for.

How will Minnesota’s former Rapids perform?

Sam Cronin and Marc Burch will play Colorado for the first time since they were traded to Minnesota three weeks ago. The question is, how will perform against their former club? Their teammates will certainly be hoping that their familiarity with Colorado’s players will come as an advantage to the Loons, though you could say the same thing about Colorado’s familiarity with Cronin and Burch.

Either way, it will be interesting to see how Cronin and Burch perform against their former teammates.

Mar 4, 2017; Commerce City, CO, USA; Colorado Rapids defender Axel Sjoberg (44) looks to head the ball in the second half against the New England Revolution at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 4, 2017; Commerce City, CO, USA; Colorado Rapids defender Axel Sjoberg (44) looks to head the ball in the second half against the New England Revolution at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports /

The injuries

With Rasmus Schüller and Bobby Shuttleworth unlikely to play, due to injuries they suffered against Houston, it will be interesting to see who fills in for them. John Alvbåge will almost certainly be in goal for Shuttleworth, but what about Schuller?

Last week against Houston, Schuller was played out on the left for some reason, but was replaced by Miguel Ibarra when he had to leave the match. It will be interesting to see if it’s Ibarra or Bashkim Kadrii who gets the start out on the left though, as the position is still wide open.

Schüller’s injury also will likely make Collen Warner the starter again with Sam Cronin in midfield. There was a chance that Heath would go with Schüller and Cronin to make the midfield less defensive, but with Schuller out, it looks like it will be Cronin and Warner once again.

Next: Minnesota United: 3 takeaways from the Houston match

Will Minnesota continue showing more defensive cohesion?

Against Houston, Minnesota’s defense finally looked cohesive, at least for the most part. There was constant communication happening, and they looked much better than they had at any previous point this season.

Hopefully it was a sign the Minnesota’s team as a whole is becoming more comfortable as a unit, and will continue to improve as the season goes along.

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