Hello again, my loyal lake bird baes. I hope this non-email finds you well, if not better, now that the Loons are kinda-sorta-maybe getting back to some of the glory days of earlier this season, after ending their six-game losing streak with their 1-1 draw in Houston last weekend. Does a point in the standings mean all is right in Loon land? Not entirely, but a step in the right direction is better than a slump any day. A point in the standings is a step toward a playoff berth, and I’ll take that over the past several weeks. Now that Copa América is in the rearview, our Canadians are returning, and the upcoming Leagues Cup is only a couple of off-ramps away on this journey called “2024.” The Loons have a great opportunity to bring positive vibes back to the land of 10,000 lakes when they face a D.C. United side that is experiencing its ailments in 2024. So, let’s go there...

| Run of Form

Minnesota United FC (8-9-6)

Run of Form: D-L-L-L-L | Standings: 9th in the West

Admittedly, there is still plenty of work to do, but if the Loons hope to reclaim the positive vibes of their surprising early season run, it helps to know that the (Canadian) cavalry is coming. Of course, I’m talking about goalkeeper Dayne St. Clair and striker Tani Oluwaseyi. It’s been a minute or five since we’ve seen the fellas, as they have been serving their national team, but their return shouldn’t be underestimated considering it’s our starting goalkeeper and leading goal scorer for the season. However, the return of these key players can’t alleviate all the ways in which the boys need to step up if they plan on reclaiming playoff-worthy success that looked to be manifesting earlier this season.

D.C. United (6-7-6)

Run of Form: W-L-L-D-L | Standings: 12th in the East

While they come into their matchup with the Loons having taken three points off of Nashville, don’t read too much into it. In the early stages of the 2024 season, D.C. United’s play looked like a departure from last season’s disappointing showing. However, aside from 2024 MLS All-Star striker Christian Benteke’s performance and All-Star nods for Benteke and defender Aaron Herrera, they are looking for some spark they can sustain down the stretch if they hope to end the season as a playoff team, which may prove elusive for the Eagles when all is said and done.

| Keys to the Game

Set Piece Security

While it was nice to see the boys hold the draw in Houston, the opportunity to earn three points was there—right up until the corner kick in the 82nd minute found a wide-open Sebastián Ferreira, who was locked and loaded to find the net. Whether it was a miscommunication in coverage or a lack of attention to detail by someone in the box, it was the difference in the match. Coach Eric Ramsay was transparent in expressing his disappointment with the lapse in his postgame comments: “We leave content in one sense but disappointed in that we weren’t able to see the game out and weren’t able to execute the really fine details that we needed to defend the box towards the end. So it’s bittersweet in that sense.” The Loons continue to be one of the best in the league with their success on attacking set pieces, but it's clear that improvement is needed on the other end if they hope to break back into the win column.

Block Out The Bright Spot

While there hasn't been much consistent success for D.C. United in 2024, forward Christian Benteke has shined as their biggest bright spot. The Belgian international has led the D.C. attack this season and currently sits tied as the league’s second-leading scorer, only trailing RSL’s Chicho Arango (17). When a contender for this season’s Golden Boot is in your midst, it’s no surprise that one of the keys to victory for the Loons this Wednesday is all about keeping tabs on the most dangerous threat the opposition has for finding the net.

Such a Keeper

Considering the timing in the season schedule, the injury to Clint Irwin, and the overall gravity of making your Major League Soccer debut in the midst of a losing streak, I’d say reserve keeper Alec Smir had more good moments than bad over the last three contests. However, as Canadians can attest, keeper Dayne St. Clair has a presence in the net, and his absence was certainly noticed. He’s as much of an energizer for the Loons starting XI as he is an anchor in holding attacks at bay. If St. Clair starts for MNUFC after last Saturday’s starting spot in the third-place Copa América match, it certainly helps the backline’s cause in holding firm.