Audi 2020 MLS Cup Playoffs – Round One
Minnesota United vs. Colorado Rapids
Allianz Field – Saint Paul
November 22 – 7:30 PM ET
TV: ESPN, ESPN Deportes, TSN 3/5, TVA Sports
STREAMING: ESPN App in US
For a second straight season Minnesota United have secured a home Audi MLS Cup Playoffs game, with the Loons seeking their first postseason win against a Colorado Rapids side eager to play the underdog role in a Round One showdown at Allianz Field Nov. 22.
Expectations were high for Minnesota United at the start of the 2020 season, with Adrian Heath's side a true contender for the West's top spot with most of the roster intact from a breakthrough 2019. They started hot, unbeaten in their first five, and ended hot, with an eight-match undefeated run entering the postseason. The Loons addressed key needs with the acquisition of Argentine playmaker Emanuel Reynoso and the ageless Kei Kamara, while Kevin Molino has been a rock in midfield after his return from injury. Along the way Heath has sounded off about the doubters, about a perceived lack of respect. He can silence any remaining critics with a Round One win.
The Rapids started 2020 with two straight wins, then came the four-month pause due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Upon returning at the MLS is Back Tournament, Colorado failed to advance from the group stage and proceed to go winless in seven games. They then turned the corner by winning three of four during a September stretch, only for a COVID-19 outbreak to force another month-long pause. After a slow return, the Rapids roared down the stretch with three consecutive wins. They're playing with house money and are as dangerous a darkhorse as there is their first postseason appearance since 2016.
Minnesota were the 2-1 victors when the two teams faced off just two weeks ago in their only meeting at Allianz Field in 2020. They shared a 2-2 draw when they met at the MLS is Back Tournament in July.
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Minnesota United
The Loons clinched a home playoff game for a second straight season in emphatic fashion, defeating an FC Dallas side that needed a win to do the same by a 3-0 scoreline. Molino struck for a brace with a Reynoso goal early in the second half sandwiched between. The playmaker also set up both Molino goals to send Minnesota into the postseason on a high note.
After getting their first taste of playoff soccer a year ago, the Loons are back at it again with another home tilt with the hopes of a better result.
"We're certainly going into the playoffs full of optimism," Loons boss Adrian Heath said in a video conference call with reporters. "We felt like we let ourselves down a little bit last year. Although it was the Galaxy, I felt we were the better team and we should have won the game. We know this weekend's not going to be easy, but I feel we have a team capable of winning the game."
- Updated team roster
- Injury Report:
- OUT: Tyler Miller (GK) - hip injury
- OUT: Ike Opara (D) - undisclosed injury
- OUT: Luis Amarilla (F) - undisclosed injury
- Suspended: None
- Suspended after next caution: None
- International duty: None
Colorado Rapids
The Rapids followed a playoff-clinching win over the Portland Timbers with a 2-1 Decision Day victory over the Houston Dynamo. Diego Rubio's stoppage-time winner catapulted Colorado up to fifth in the Western Conference standings after starting the day in seventh. Colorado are 5W-3L-1D on the road this season, tied for the most away victories this season with Toronto FC, the New England Revolution and Sporting KC.
"This is obviously going to be a big test for us," Robin Fraser told the media in a video conference call. "They have a number of very talented players. We played them pretty closely last time around, a couple of weeks ago. We certainly felt like at moments we had good opportunities and in the moment you let your guard down for a half of second they can kind of turn nothing into something. I expect it will be a really tightly contested game and the team that executes better on both ends of the field will probably end up winning."
- Updated team roster
- Injury Report:
- OUT: Kortne Ford (D) - knee injury
- Suspended: None
- Suspended after next caution: None
- International duty: None
Series Matchup at Minnesota United
- Minnesota United: 3 wins, 4 goals
- Rapids: 1 win, 3 goals
- 0 draws
MLS Cup Playoffs
- This is the first-ever MLS Cup Playoffs meeting between Minnesota United and the Colorado Rapids.
Officials
- Referee: Armando Villarreal
- Assistant Referees: Cameron Blanchard, Matthew Nelson
- 4th Official: Victor Rivas
- VAR: Timothy Ford
