Minnesota United welcome Austin FC to Allianz Field in Sunday morning's MLS action.
Adrian Heath's team seek consecutive victories after defeating struggling Portland Timbers 4-1, while Austin look to continue their unbeaten run in the competition.
Match preview
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After going over a month without winning in all competitions, Minnesota's July 2 victory over Portland Timbers was just what the doctor ordered.
Heath's men leapfrogged the team they defeated to move into 11th in the Western Conference, and they could rise into the playoff positions by securing consecutive wins in the competition.
Rising into the top seven may be a long shot, but securing maximum points this weekend means they could supplant seventh-placed Houston Dynamo.
Heath's troops have lost just one of eight home games this season, ostensibly giving Minnesota fans cause for optimism, which is punctured when the team's tendency to play out draws (five) is highlighted.
Despite losing just one game, the home side have been undone by several stalemates on their turf, a statistic further laid bare by the inability to collect back-to-back home wins since August 2022.
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Austin are only two points and three places above the hosts, with the visiting side capitalising on seventh-placed Houston wobbling in recent gameweeks.
Josh Wolff's men were disappointed to only draw against Inter Miami recently, but the two victories hitherto have seen them close the gap on Houston to one point and sixth-placed San Jose Earthquakes to two.
The Oaks could rise as high as fifth this weekend with a win, but it would require the three clubs ahead of them in the standings to falter.
Wolff's team have not travelled well all season, evidenced by claiming two victories from nine road games and losing five matches.
One point from an available nine and five defeats from their last eight away matches offer little optimism for the weekend.
Team News
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Ryen Jiba remains on the sidelines with the injury that has prevented him from representing Minnesota all season.
Mikael Marques is ruled out due to an ankle injury, and a torn meniscus means Robin Lod plays no part this weekend.
Devin Padelford may replace DJ Taylor at left-back after the latter was forced off on the hour against Portland Timbers.
Zan Kolmanic is still absent after rupturing ligaments in April, while Leo Vaisanen is not expected to participate due to a knee injury.
Alexander Ring may have to sit out this weekend's game if he has not recovered from the injury that saw him withdrawn after 53 minutes in the 1-1 draw at Inter Miami.
Minnesota United possible starting lineup:
Irwin; Valentin, Boxall, Tapias, Padelford; Trapp, Dotson; Hlongwane, Reynose, Jeong; Garcia
Austin FC possible starting lineup:
Stuver; Lima, Cascante, Keller, Gallagher; Finlay, Wolff, Pereira, Fagundez; Driussi; Zardes
We say: Minnesota United 1-1 Austin FC
Minnesota should avoid defeat against in-form Austin, but both sides are expected to cancel each other out in a score draw at Allianz Field.
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