Minnesota United vs. Real Salt Lake | 2020 MLS Match Preview

Can Loons continue home dominance vs. RSL?

MIN-RSL Week 14

2020 MLS Regular Season – Week 14
Minnesota United vs. Real Salt Lake
Allianz Field – Saint Paul
September 27 – 8:00 PM ET


STREAMING: MLS LIVE on ESPN+ in US


LOCAL TV: FOX Sports North Plus, KMYU


After a three-game winless road trip, Minnesota United return to Allianz Field, where they last won consecutive games, to take on Real Salt Lake Sunday night with just one point separating the Western Conference foes. 


The Loons (5W-5L-3D) are coming off a 2-1 defeat to Columbus Crew SC, while RSL (4W-4L-5D) rebounded from consecutive home defeats to knock off the LA Galaxy 2-0 at Rio Tinto Stadium.


The teams met at Allianz Field on Sept. 6, with Minnesota United cruising to a 4-0 triumph. Robin Lod struck for a brace as the Loons goals explosion came after a scoreless first half. 


Minnesota United


After falling in a two-goal hole, the Loons rallied to pull within a goal through Lod two minutes from time and thought they had a stoppage-time headed equalizer by Michael Boxall, but the goal was called back with Jose Aja ruled to have been offside on Emanuel Reynoso's free kick service. 


“Having just watched it, I don’t know what the rule is anymore because they [referees] get told to keep the flag down and let the play finish and then they’ll have a look at it after. But from the clip we’ve just seen, he’s not offside,” Heath said in his post-match video press conference following a 2-1 defeat. “So disappointed and it’ll be interesting to see what they’ll say when they look at it. But on the whole they [Crew SC] would have been disappointed had they drawn the game, for sure. They’re a good team, well-coached, spent a lot of money on a lot of good players … I think they’re going to be there or thereabouts at the end of the season.”


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


Real Salt Lake


Albert Rusnak scored from the penalty spot and Damir Kreilach followed seven minutes later with an insurance tally, assisted by Rusnak, to lead RSL to a 2-0 victory over the Galaxy Wednesday at Rio Tinto Stadium. 


Real Salt Lake announcing Friday the club has added Andrew Brody from Real Monarchs to a Homegrown contract. Brody becomes the 23rd product from the RSL Academy signed to the first team, and the second this week after the club announced the signing of Homegrown midfielder Bode Davis on Tuesday. 

Minnesota United vs. Real Salt Lake | 2020 MLS Match Preview - Project Starting XI
  • Updated team roster
  • Injury Report:
    • OUT: Everton Luiz (M) - undisclosed injury
    • OUT: Giuseppe Rossi (F) - undisclosed injury
  • Suspended: None
  • Suspended after next caution: Justen Glad (D), Kyle Beckerman (M), Corey Baird (F)
  • International duty: None


Series Matchup at Minnesota United


  • Minnesota United: 4 wins, 14 goals
  • Real Salt Lake: 0 wins, 5 goals
  • 0 draws


Officials


  • Referee: Drew Fischer
  • Assistant Referees: Kathryn Nesbitt, Jeremy Kieso
  • 4th Official: Fotis Bazakos
  • VAR: Nima Saghafi