Minnesota United looking to play on the front-foot

Minnesota United looking for momentum

Coming off a 1-0 home win last weekend against the Seattle Sounders, this weekend’s match is big for Minnesota United. The Portland Timbers represent another side jockeying for position in the Western Conference.

It was quite a bounce back performance from Minnesota United last week as they suffered a 2-0 loss at the Colorado Rapids in their previous MLS match. Prior to that match, Minnesota United hadn’t lost in their previous seven matches.

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The win, against a depleted Sounders side, ended a 13-match unbeaten streak in MLS play. Up till Minnesota United spoiled things, it was the best start in league history.

“The most important thing was, we got the win. I thought the manner of the win as well, I thought first half, first 35 minutes, we were excellent,” Minnesota United head coach Adrian Heath told reporters this week.

“And I loved the fact that the crowd was so involved in the game. I think it might be one of the best atmospheres we’ve had at the stadium. It was fantastic. Made you realize how important the supporters are and what a difference they make to this sport. It was an all-around good day.

“The fact that [Seattle] hadn’t been beaten all season, the fact that we got 18 points from the last nine games – that’s two points a game, which we always talk about – it gets you towards the top of the table. But it sets us up nicely for a big game against Portland now at home.”

Minnesota United is now 5-3-5 (18 points) on the season after losing their first four matches to start the year.

Minnesota United faces a tough opponent

As they are year-in and year-out, the Portland Timbers are a side that are always in the top half of the league standings. Earlier this season, Minnesota United beat the Timbers 1-0 at Providence Park on June 26.

An Adrien Hunou goal in the second minute was the difference.

That result was part of a rough stretch in late May where the Timbers took just four points from five matches. Since that slide, Gio Savarese’s team has won their last two games including an impressive 2-1 home win over Los Angeles FC this past weekend.

They will be looking to avenge that loss at Allianz Field this weekend.

Heath said that at home, he’s hoping to get his team after things from the get-go.

“Front foot. Get the ball in their half. Work the final third of the field,” Heath said.

“Play with the same energy and intensity as we did last weekend and what will be, will be. If we can play to the level [that] I know we’re capable of and the level they know is acceptable to the players, we’ll be fine.”

Follow Kristian Dyer of ‘MLS Multiplex‘ on Twitter @KristianRDyer