Minnesota United vs. FC Cincinnati | 2020 MLS Match Preview

2020 MLS Regular Season – Week 15
Minnesota United vs. FC Cincinnati
Allianz Field – Saint Paul
October 3 – 8:00 PM ET

STREAMING: MLS LIVE on ESPN+ in US; on DAZN in Canada

LOCAL TV: Star64, FOX Sports North 

For the first time since a historic six-goal romp, Minnesota United host FC Cincinnati Saturday night at Allianz Field. 

The Loons (5W-5L-4D) are coming off a 0-0 draw with Real Salt Lake at Allianz Field Sunday, while FC Cincinnati (3W-7L-4D) suffered a 4-0 loss to NYCFC at Red Bull Arena. 

This is the second all-time meeting with Minnesota United claiming a 7-1 victory at home last June. The Loons poured in four goals over 25 minutes to finish off the first half with an insurmountable lead. The number of goals scored and the margin of victory are both Minnesota club records during their MLS tenure.

Minnesota United

The Loons pressed and probed, but ultimately were unable to solve Andrew Putna and settled for a home 0-0 draw Sunday night. Emanuel Reynoso had some of the best chances, but he was twice denied by Putna, who made seven saves on the night. Kei Kamara also came close to opening his Minnesota account, but Putna came out to deny the newly acquired striker's breakaway shot. 

On Thursday, Minnesota traded Mason Toye to the Montreal Impact in exchange for $600,000 General Allocation Money and a 2021 MLS SuperDraft second-round selection.

“Mason has been a bit frustrated of late," head coach Adrian Heath told reporters on a virtual press conference Thursday. "As most people should think as strikers, he thought he should be the No. 1 starting forward for us. We had a slight difference of opinion on that."

• Updated team roster
• Injury Report:
  • OUT: Tyler Miller (GK) - hip injury
  • OUT: Ike Opara (D) - undisclosed injury
  • OUT: Greg Ranjitsingh (GK) - undisclosed injury
  • OUT: Luis Amarilla (F) - undisclosed injury
  • QUESTIONABLE: Ethan Finlay (M) - undisclosed injury
• Suspended: None
• Suspended after next caution: Michael Boxall (D), Chase Gasper (D)
• International duty: None

FC Cincinnati

FC Cincinnati trailed 30 seconds after kickoff, 2-0 before the half-hour mark and by three goals at halftime in a 4-0 defeat to NYCFC Saturday night. Cincinnati played without Nick Hagglund, who revealed earlier in the afternoon that he had tested positive for COVID-19.

“You can see from today that the players need a rest," FC Cincy coach Jaap Stam said after the match. "We need to assess them well tomorrow and the days after as well. You know, against Minnesota, a good team away from home as well. We need to work hard, but we also need to show quality. If you're tired, it becomes very difficult. We can see that. We need to get the players back into shape, and of course, forget this game and learn from it like we said in the beginning. We look forward to the next one.”

• Updated team roster
• Injury Report:
  • OUT: Jimmy McLaughlin (M) - ankle injury
  • OUT: Nick Hagglund (D) - undisclosed injury
  • OUT: Andrew Gutman (D) - undisclosed injury
  • OUT: Siem de Jong (M) - undisclosed injury
• Suspended: None
• Suspended after next caution: Kendall Waston (D)
• International duty: None

Series Matchup at Minnesota United

• This is the second all-time meeting between Minnesota United and FC Cincinnati, with the Loons winning 7-1 at Allianz Field June 29, 2019.

Officials

• Referee: Marcos de Oliveira
• Assistant Referees: Corey Rockwell, Jeff Hosking
• 4th Official: Ismir Pekmic
• VAR: Alan Kelly