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Minnesota United at Philadelphia Union: Keys to the match, projected starting XI and a prediction

andy greder, pioneer press
·2 min read

Minnesota United at Philadelphia Union

When: 1 p.m. CT Saturday

Where: Subaru Park, Chester, Pa.

Stream: Apple TV Season Pass

Radio: KSTP-AM 1500 ESPN

Weather: 53 degrees, clear skies, 20 mph east wind

Betting line: Union minus-130; draw plus-300; MNUFC plus-285

Synopsis: Both teams are among the five remaining unbeaten clubs in MLS this young season, but Minnesota’s start has been more bountiful with 10 points compared to Philadelphia’s six.

Form: MNUFC (3-0-1) was off last weekend after beating Los Angeles FC 2-0 on March 16; that win looks better after LAFC throttled Nashville 5-0 last weekend. After three draws to start the season, Philadelphia (1-0-3) beat Portland 3-1 with a brace from Julian Carranza last Saturday.

Absences: Emanuel Reynoso (U.S. green card) is out. Micky Tapias (hamstring) ruled out on team’s availability report. Kervin Arriaga (knee) and Zarek Valentin (thigh) have been absent from practice this week. “Neither are particularly serious injuries,” Ramsay said Friday. “I think we are talking more a matter of weeks as opposed to months for both of them.”

Projected XI: In a 4-3-3 formation, LW Caden Clark, CF Teemu Pukki, RW Sang Bin Jeong; CM Hassani Dotson, CM Robin Lod, CM Wil Trapp; LB Joseph Rosales, CB Victor Eriksson, CB Michael Boxall, RB DJ Taylor; GK Dayne St. Clair.

Context: At 32, Ramsay is more than 15 years younger than the average MLS coach at 47.7 years old, the league said.

Viewpoint: Ramsay, who coached with the Wales national team, is an advocate for MNUFC players going away to join their national teams even if that falls outside of FIFA international windows. For instance, Jeong was named to South Korea’s Under-23 team for Olympic qualifying in April. “I will never want to deprive a player an opportunity he wants to take there,” Ramsay said. “I try to see the positive in the sense that the player goes away and gets really good experience. We get a chance to maybe work with someone who is not playing as regularly and someone maybe steps into Sang Bin shoes or whoever else it might be who finds themselves away.”

Quote: “It’s going to be hard to break them down,” D.J. Taylor said of Union. “But I believe in what we are doing. It will be a good test for us to continue to show that we are a No. 1 team and we want to be top of the table.”

Prediction: The Loons have had a handful of stiff tests to start the season, but this one will prove a bit too tall. Without having to juggle Concafac Champions Cup, Philadelphia comes out with a 2-1 home win.

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