Minnesota United facing must-win matches in mid-May
If Minnesota United is going to turn around their season – and they have all the talent to be able to do so – they will need to get something from Wednesday night’s performance against the Vancouver Whitecaps.
Through four games, Minnesota United is the only team in MLS to not register a single point, putting them bottom of the league’s table. For a side that did so well in 2020, making the playoffs and advancing to the Western Conference finals, the slow start is a big surprise.
Minnesota had a very good offseason, adding several big pieces to their attack. But the investment so far hasn’t paid off in the final-third.
Through four games, Minnesota has just three goals scored, tied for second-worst in MLS.
If they want to return to the postseason, Minnesota United needs at least one win from this two game homestand.
“A little bit execution, I think the final ball has been wanting at times and not been at the quality it should have been,” Minnesota United head coach Adrian Heath told reporters this week.
“But as I said, I don’t think there’s an awful lot wrong with the group. We certainly think there’s so much still to play for in this season. There’s 80-odd points still to play for. We didn’t expect to be 0-4, we know, but I do know is this team is capable of winning on Wednesday, capable of winning on Saturday and then capable of winning in Salt Lake. Now we have to go and prove that.”
They are compounding their lack of scoring issues with defensive issues as well. Minnesota United has allowed 10 goals this season, making them the second-worst defensive team in MLS this season on points per game conceded.
Now with the Vancouver Whitecaps midweek and then another home match with FC Dallas this weekend, there is hope from Heath that Minnesota United can turn this season around.
“Your homes games are always important in this league. Most of the clubs in this league, it’s your home form that gets you where you want to be. Most clubs will settle for a point on the road, but we’ve put ourselves in this position, this is the third home game and we haven’t won yet. So we need to go an pick up three points. We know it’s not going to be easy. [Vancouver] is coming in with a lot of confidence but we’re more than capable of winning the game.”