First Kick is nearly here as FC Dallas is getting set to host the same team that last came to Toyota Stadium in 2022, Minnesota United.
The Loons have been a fairly consistent team over the last few years in MLS, reaching the playoffs every year since 2019. They’ve also been one that has been a bit of a thorn at times for FC Dallas to manage. Minnesota was able to pick up a win at Toyota Stadium last spring, but FC Dallas returned the favor with a win in Minnesota late in the season before knocking them out of the playoffs in October.
Going into the 2023 season, Minnesota has some serious concerns as to whether or not they’ll be able to continue being one more consistent team in the Western Conference.
Key Player: Emanuel Reynoso
Well, maybe not so much for this weekend. He’s currently suspended by the club for failing to show up to preseason.1
Instead, let’s focus on Miguel Tapias, the club’s newest center back and big reinforcement with Bakaye Dibassy still working his way back from injury. Tapias won the 2022 Liga MX Apertura with Pachuca. Like FC Dallas was able to do with Franco Jara and Pachuca, Minnesota was able to work out a deal to bring him into MLS before the summer (Tapias had signed a pre-contract with Minnesota).
Key Matchup: Tapias vs Jesus Ferreira
We haven’t seen a ton of greatness out of Ferreira since late last season. While he was able to secure a spot on the US men’s national team World Cup roster, he only played in one half of one game in Qatar. So, he needs a good start to the season.
Standing in his way is the newcomer for Minnesota. Moving to MLS is always a challenge for a defender as you don’t know how tightly the officials are going to call things on day one for you. In a way, this battle will be all about who can get off on the right foot in 2023.
Quick Notes:
Consistency each year - The Loons collected 48 points last season en route to its fourth consecutive postseason appearance. The Loons are one of four teams, and the only one from the West, to qualify for the playoffs in each of the last four MLS seasons, along with New York City FC, the Red Bulls, and the Union.
Health’s legacy - Adrian Heath, the only head coach in Minnesota United’s MLS history, is now in his seventh season with the Loons, coaching his 192nd regular season match. Only two teams made it longer with their original manager in MLS history: Houston’s Dominic Kinnear (288) and Seattle’s Sigi Schmid (250).
Getting younger - Between 2022 and 2023, the average age of the squad dropped from almost 27.5 to just over 26 years old.2
Injury and fitness concerns - The folks over at The Northland Soccer Journal said that even without Reynoso, the starting lineup could be a bit banged up from the start. Tapias has only been with the club for two weeks and has just received his work visa. Kemar Lawrence has been with the team in training for only three weeks. Hassani Dotson, who looked set to take over the midfield last year before his injury, is still not quite at full fitness after a season-ending ACL tear.
Potential Lineup:
Without Reynoso, the Loons will like shift from a 4-2-3-1 into a 4-3-3.
St. Clair - Lawrence, Tapais, Boxall, Taylor - Trapp, Lod, Arriaga - Fragapne, Hlongwane, Amarilla
Keys To Three Points over Minnesota
Press the wings - Similar to the playoff win, when Dallas was able to get chances in the Minnesota defensive third, it was due to the pressure on the wings. This should also give us a good chance to see what newcomer Geovane Jesus is able to do in the attack as he moves forward like Marco Farfan on the other wing.
Limit Hlongwane’s speed down the wings - We saw this a bit in the playoff game, but Bongi has some blistering speed for Minnesota. Given Reynoso’s likely absence from this game, the Loons will be looking for anyone to be creative for them in the attack. Between him and Kervin Arriaga, the Loons still have some firepower that might be desperate to prove they can win without Reynoso.
Ride the crowd - While I don’t imagine Saturday’s opener being nearly as loud as that playoff win over Minnesota last fall, one can certainly dream. FCD will look to build off the many sellouts they had last season at Toyota Stadium. If the crowd can match the playoff energy they had last fall, it could really set the tone that this team needs for the start of the season.
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