Sunday will see Western Conference outfit Minnesota United welcome high-flying Eastern Conference side New York City FC to the Allianz Field. It could be a pivotal game for both sides in the race for the top spot in the East, with kickoff at 3 am.
Minnesota United FC is looking to bounce back from disappointment on the Thursday of the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup. They failed to reach the quarter-finals, having fallen to a 2-1 loss against Union Omaha.
Adrian Heath’s side did record their first MLS victory since April last time out, though, with strikes from Robin Lod and DJ Taylor enough to secure a 2-1 win against Dallas in Texas.
The Loons need to find some consistency if they break into the top seven and, importantly, remain in the playoff places, having not managed to register three MLS wins on the bounce so far this season.
Minnesota United FC is level on points with seventh-placed Houston Dynamo, with the Western Conference still tight after just 13 matches. With only a few points separating third from eighth place, Sunday’s hosts should have confidence about keeping pressure on those teams above them.
The New York City Football Club enter this fixture in fine form, having won 10 of their last 11 games across all competitions, including a 1-0 victory against New England in the U.S. Open Cup.
Minnesota vs. New York FC Head to Head
Both sides have four games against each other, with the hosts take two wins while the visitors have one win. Here is a look at their previous encounters:
Home
- Minnesota 1-2 Omaha
- Dallas 1-2 Minnesota
- Minnesota 1-1 LA Galaxy
- Seattle Sounders 3-1 Minnesota
Away
- New York FC 1-0 New England Revolution
- New York FC 1-0 Chicago Fire
- DC United 0-2 New York
- New York FC 2-0 Columbus Crew
Minnesota Team News
Due to injury, Minnesota will be without four players, but Heath could name the same starting 11 that defeated Dallas on Monday. Lod has netted in three consecutive MLS matches and will be looking for more goals against Atlanta United FC, with Bongokuhle Hlongwane and Franco Fragapane providing width for Minnesota.
New York City FC Team News
New York City right-back Anton Tinnerholm has been sidelined with an Achilles injury and will not play in this match, but he could return to the field next month.
Prediction and Odds
Although Minnesota and Chicago have historically been involved in high-scoring games, Sunday’s match could be tight given the visitors’ unfamiliarity away from home and Minnesota’s inconsistencies.
- Away Win
- Goals Under 2.5
- First Half: 0-0
