Minnesota United heads to last-place San Jose on Saturday evening one level under the Western Convention playoff line and attempting to a snap a virtually four-month highway winless streak.
The Loons (Sep 11-6, 33 factors) are 0-5-2 of their final seven highway contests with their final win coming at Atlanta United on Could 4. 5 of their eight remaining regular-season contests are on the highway, beginning with Saturday’s contest towards the Earthquakes (5-19-2, 17 factors), who’ve the fewest factors in MLS and a league-worst negative-28 aim differential.
“We all know we’re at that time within the season the place each sport is essential and may actually have an effect on the standings and we have to gather as many factors as potential,” Minnesota goaltender Dayne St. Clair stated. “We have now to go in there and into each sport with the mentality that we will go and get three factors.”
The Loons have gained simply as soon as of their final 11 league matches (1-8-2). That got here on July 20 in Saint Paul, Minn., after they defeated the Quakes 2-0 with St. Clair making one save en path to his third clear sheet of the season. Bongokuhle Hlongwane scored within the seventy fifth minute to seal the win after San Jose defender Tanner Beason put Minnesota forward within the first half with an personal aim.
The Quakes are coming off a powerful 2-0 highway win at third-place Actual Salt Lake final Saturday, the second MLS teaching victory for interim head coach Ian Russell. Russell took over for Luchi Gonzalez on June 24.
“I used to be simply proud of the constant 94-minute efficiency on the highway,” Russell stated. “I really feel prefer it was a very full win.”
Ahead Cristian Espinoza scored his fourth aim within the victory, giving him his one hundredth aim contribution (32 objectives, 68 assists) in a San Jose uniform. That is the third most factors in workforce historical past behind league all-time scoring chief Chris Wondolowski (207) and Ronald Cerritos (108).
“It means lots,” Espinoza stated. “Since I got here right here in 2019, I by no means anticipated to attain all these numbers. Clearly, I am extraordinarily comfortable. I hope I can maintain going and obtain extra with San Jose.”
–Area Stage Media
