Preview (August 24, 2018) – Minnesota United FC had one of their worst games of the season last weekend against FC Dallas. Yes, they were down three regular starters in Francisco Calvo, Colleen Warner, and Darwin Quintero.
Nevertheless, it was a very poor showing by the Loons. The forwards and defense were not connected at all, with Angelo Rodriguez not having a shot on goal. According to whoscored.com, Collin Martin was the only Loon to have a shot on target the entire game.
Minnesota United is still on the road as they travel south to face Sporting KC at Children’s Mercy Park. This will be their third meeting this season, with Sporting KC winning one 4-1 and the other being a 1-1 draw at TCF Bank Stadium. The clubs are trending in opposite directions with Sporting KC winning their last three games and MNUFC winless in their last three.
Minnesota United Preview: Sporting KC vs. Minnesota United FC
When: Saturday, August 25th, 7:30 P.M. CT
Where: Children’s Mercy Park, Kansas City, Kansas
Things to Watch For:
Will Angelo Rodriguez start to produce goals?
Angelo Rodriguez has been playing well so except in the category where it matters the most: Scoring Goals. His movement, hold-up, and combination play have been as advertised but he needs to start scoring. He has gotten close on multiple occasions but has yet to put the ball in the back of the net. The pressure could start mounting on Rodriguez with the man he effectively replaced, Christian Ramirez, playing well and scoring for LAFC.
Where does Romario Ibarra fit in the 3-5-2?
Romario has been limited to substitute appearances since joining the Loons and has been subbed in for multiple positions/players. He has made a couple appearances up top but also some on the wing. Did the Loons have the 3-5-2 in mind when they signed Romario? Is he a wingback, forward or does he play more centrally? Adrian Heath handing him a start may give a better idea of the position they had in mind for Romario.
Predicted Line-up
The Loons will most likely go back to 3-5-2 after the poor showing in Dallas. It sounds like Darwin Quintero will be unable to go again this weekend, so Romario or Abu Danaldi should get the start up top, running off and supporting Rodriguez.
——————-Rodriguez–Romario——————
Miller—–Ibson—-Warner—Schuller—-Ibarra
——Calvo——-Boxall——–Kallman——–—–
————————Shuttleworth———————–
