In this edition of Oppo Research, Hudson River Blue spoke with Bridget McDowell, co-editor of Northland Soccer Journal, to get the straight dope on Minnesota United, New York City FC’s opponent on Matchday 25 at Citi Field in the beautiful borough of Queens. These two teams have met only four times in their shared history, and we have a lot to learn.
Here is your NYCFC vs Minnesota preview.
1. Two steps forward, one step back
Hudson River Blue: Minnesota United danced their way through Leagues Cup matches, advancing through two knockout games on penalty kicks before reaching the semifinals — and getting pummeled 5-0 by Nashville. Now it’s back to MLS, where United are one spot away from making the playoffs. What’s the mood in the North Star State these days?
Bridget McDowell: Minnesota supporters are understandably upset and frustrated about the Loons exiting the Leagues Cup the way they did. The squad was really starting to look like a more cohesive unit through the group stage and were clearly having fun playing for one another as they advanced but showed a complete regression in Nashville. Being so close to the playoff line at this point would normally be enough to smooth that over but, with that line being so deep in the table in 2023, that’s not quite enough. These first two games back in MLS play (away to NYC, then home against Seattle) could set the tone for the rest of the season.
