Minnesota United FC vs. Vancouver Whitecaps FC | 2018 MLS Match Preview

Minnesota United FC vs. Vancouver Whitecaps FC
2018 MLS Regular Season – Week 10
TCF Bank Stadium – Minneapolis
May 5 – 2 pm ET
WATCH: CTV, ESPN+

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Two teams who put losing streaks behind them in Week 9 look to continue their winning ways when Minnesota United FC host Vancouver Whitecaps FC Saturday afternoon at TCF Bank Stadium.

The Loons snapped a four-match losing streak by beating the Houston Dynamo, 2-1, at home, while the Whitecaps defeated Real Salt Lake, 2-0, following three consecutive defeats.

• Whitecaps FC loan Justin Fiddes to USL affiliate Fresno FC
• Davies: 'It doesn't matter whether it was a goal or assist'
• Robinson: 'We're just hard-working, honest players'
• Two Loons in MLS Team of the Week

​Minnesota United FC

Minnesota (3-5-0) conceded early again, but this time they rallied as Darwin Quintero (penalty kick) and Ibson scored in a 2-1 win over Houston.

Bobby Shuttleworth made sure the Loons secured all three points, with four saves en route to being named to the MLS Team of the Week presented by Audi for Week 9.

“I was pleased with the commitment and the shape of the team,” Loons coach Adrian Heath said. “It’s a big win for us to move on from. Hopefully this is a little platform. A little springboard for us to get some wins at home in the next few weeks.”

Heath wasn’t completely pleased after the game, especially after Christian Ramirez went off with a hamstring injury.

• Suspended: None
• Suspended after next caution: None
• International duty: None
• Injury Report: OUT: M - Sam Cronin (cervicogenic dysfunction), M - Kevin Molino (torn left ACL), D - Tyrone Mears (right leg injury), M - Ethan Finlay (torn ACL); QUESTIONABLE: F - Abu Danladi (right ankle), F - Christian Ramirez (hamstring)

Projected Starting XI
(4-2-3-1, right to left)
GK: Bobby Shuttleworth — Jerome Thiesson, Francisco Calvo, Michael Boxall, Carter Manley — Ibson, Rasmus Schuller — Sam Nicholson, Darwin Quintero, Miguel Ibarra — Mason Toye

• Notes: In the three games Quintero has played this season, Minnesota United have scored five goals (Quintero two goals and one assist). In the five games prior, they had scored a total of six goals. … The Loons have now conceded at least one goal in 20 consecutive MLS matches, tied for the third-longest such streak since the start of the 2007 season.

Vancouver Whitecaps FC

Vancouver (4-4-1) avenged a defeat to Real Salt Lake that started a three-match losing streak, to beat their Western Conference rivals, 2-0, Friday night at BC Place.

Carl Robinson overhauled nearly half his starting XI from the side that finished with nine men and suffered a franchise-worst 6-0 loss to Sporting Kansas City the week prior. Cristian Techerawas among those changes and was the center of the match’s seminal moment when he converted from the penalty spot – and was sent off on a second yellow card for removing his jersey on the subsequent celebration.

Anthony Blondell added the insurance goal four minutes later, set up by substitute Alphonso Davies, who was named to the MLS Team of the Week presented by Audi for Week 9.

“It was a good performance. We got what we wanted out of the game, which is a result,” Robinson said. “It was important we halted the run of three games and we did. We got stronger as the game went on.”

• Suspended: M - Cristian Techera
• Suspended after next caution: D - Kendall Waston
• International duty: None
• Injury Report: DOUBTFUL: F - Kei Kamara (adductor strain), M - Jordon Mutch (undisclosed)

Projected Starting XI
(4-2-3-1, right to left)
GK: Stefan Marinovic — Sean Franklin, Kendall Waston, Jose Aja, Marcel de Jong — Aly Ghazal, Russell Teibert — Alphonso Davies, Yordy Reyna, Brek Shea — Anthony Blondell

• Notes: Kendall Waston has blocked 11 shots this season, the most of any player in MLS. …The Whitecaps have conceded in seven straight league road games (2W-5L), including a franchise-worst six goals to Kansas City in their most recent away match.

All-Time Series

• Overall: Minnesota United FC 0 wins, 2 goals … Vancouver Whitecaps FC 1 win, 5 goals … 1 tie
• At Minnesota: Minnesota United FC 0 wins, 2 goals … Vancouver Whitecaps FC 0 wins, 2 goals … 1 tie
• Last meeting at Minnesota: Minnesota United FC 2, Vancouver Whitecaps FC 2 (June 24, 2017)

Officials

Referee: Nima Saghafi
Assistant Referees: Ian Anderson, Kathryn Nesbitt
4th Official: Allen Chapman
VAR: Jorge Gonzalez