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Minnesota United: 2020 Preview – Back-to-back playoffs?

By Matt Coles

ATLANTA, GA - AUGUST 27: Minnesota United huddles prior to the start of the U.S. Open Cup Final against Atlanta United at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on August 27, 2019 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Carmen Mandato/Getty Images)
ATLANTA, GA - AUGUST 27: Minnesota United huddles prior to the start of the U.S. Open Cup Final against Atlanta United at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on August 27, 2019 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Carmen Mandato/Getty Images) /
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ATLANTA, GA – MAY 29: Adrian Heath, Head Coach of Minnesota United FC looks on prior to the game between Atlanta United and Minnesota United FC at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on May 29, 2019 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Carmen Mandato/Getty Images)
ATLANTA, GA – MAY 29: Adrian Heath, Head Coach of Minnesota United FC looks on prior to the game between Atlanta United and Minnesota United FC at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on May 29, 2019 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Carmen Mandato/Getty Images) /

2020 Outlook

Minnesota United began their preseason later than most teams with a trio of matches in Florida in early February, facing the FIU Panthers, Charleston Battery and Miami FC. The rest of their preseason comes in Oregon at the Portland Tournament.

The Loons open the 2020 season with a return to Portland. They then travel to San Jose a week later. Following that, Minnesota have their home opener against the New York Red Bulls, the start of a four-game slate at Allianz Field, where they will also face the Montreal Impact, San Jose again and the LA Galaxy.

Minnesota’s closest rivalry comes against Sporting KC, with their first clash coming on April 25 in Kansas City, before the return fixture coming on July 18 in Saint Paul. Prior to that, MNUFC will have a three-game road trip in which they will face three sides that made the playoffs in 2019, the record-breaking Los Angeles FC, FC Dallas and D.C. United. A few weeks later, they then face the most recent two MLS Cup champions in a three-game home slate in August. Atlanta United, Seattle Sounders and the Chicago Fire all come to Saint Paul.

Minnesota United have arguably one of the easiest ends to the regular-season, with their last five matches coming against non-playoff teams from last season. The Loons will play the Colorado Rapids, Vancouver Whitecaps and FC Cincinnati on the road, with home games against New England Revolution and Houston Dynamo, the latter of which will close out the season on October 4th.

Alongside the league campaign, Minnesota United will also feature in the U.S. Open Cup. Also thanks to their fourth-place finish in the Western Conference, the Loons will appear in continental competition for the first time in their short history when they partake in the Leagues Cup in the summer.

Next. Seattle Sounders Vs Olimpia: 4 things we learned. dark

The loss of some key players could see Minnesota United drop down from the fourth place they reached in 2019. Goals look like a problem and the defence might not be as formidable as last year with a new goalkeeper and key players ageing. But they will challenge for a playoff position and might just sneak back into the dance once again.

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