Minnesota United FC vs. Chicago Fire FC
Allianz Field | Saint Paul, Minnesota
7.27.2023 | Leagues Cup Group Stage Game 2
7:30 p.m. CT (Streaming for free on AppleTV’s MLS Season Pass)
Leagues Cup, take two! Chicago Fire is coming to town for MNUFC’s final group stage match in the Central 2 group, but there’s plenty left to play for. After securing an impressive win against Puebla in match one, the Loons are looking to punch their ticket to the knockout stage, while the Fire hope to start their own tournament campaign off with a statement. This tournament is heating up; you’re not going to want to miss this one.
Minnesota United -
Run of Form: W-D-W-L-W
What a month it’s been for Minnesota United. July has been almost perfect, with the Loons scoring 13 goals in just five games, earning three wins across all competitions, and finding a chemistry up front that should inspire every fan. Their hiccup against Austin is the only match they’ve failed to take points from this month, but they managed a goal in that one nonetheless. Though they struggled to find goals earlier this season, it appears that midseason MNUFC is a different animal, one that plays the game with a captivating mixture of urgency and technique. Bongi and Rey are firing on all cylinders at the moment, and the movement of Teemu Pukki up front is giving the squad a whole new dimension to work with. There aren’t many teams as hot as the Loons right now, but the question remains: are they hotter than fire?
Chicago Fire -
Run of Form: W-W-W-L-W
Chicago Fire just might be one of those few teams that are as hot as MNUFC. With just one loss in their last six matches, it seems like the team from the Windy City has finally found a winning formula. Shaqiri is healthy and scoring bangers, Fabian Herbers is stepping up, and Kei Kamara remains the ageless wizard he’s always been. There’s a lot to like about this Fire squad at the moment, which should make for one of the most entertaining matches of the tournament so far. Chicago’s last match was on July 15, meaning they will have had nearly two weeks to prepare for this one. Such a big break typically does one of two things for an in-form team: either it recharges the batteries and helps them keep going, or it disrupts their mojo and kills the momentum. Only time will tell which reality will come true for the Alpine Messi and his boys.
Keys to the Match:
No, You Take It
When these two squads are playing their best stuff, they follow similar tactics. If you look back at some of MNUFC and Chicago’s biggest wins, they were outpossessed pretty heavily. Both teams have found success through counterattacking and compact defending, springing forward when they’re able to dispossess their opponents. If you trust in your ability to defend and take your chances, this is an incredibly effective way to play, but it leaves you vulnerable to clinical opposition. When you allow the other team to have the ball for so much time, you invite significant pressure onto your midfield and backline, essentially expecting them to win every single battle. Somebody’s got to give in this one; one of these teams is going to have to break from the comfort of counterattacking and take charge of the match early on to blow the game wide open.
Wait, Which Team Does He Play For?
Kei Kamara hasn’t scored for a few weeks, but he’s always dangerous. The 2023 MLS All-Star forward has played out one of the most unique careers of all-time, scoring for 10 different MLS teams as he chases Chris Wondolowski’s MLS scoring record. His next league goal will put him at 145 all-time, tying Landon Donovan for second place on the list. At 39, Kamara is among the league’s oldest players, but he certainly doesn’t play like it. He notched two goals when the Loons traveled to Soldier Field earlier this season, and you can bet he’ll add to that tally on Thursday if he gets the chance.
Ain’t Broke, Don’t Fix It
The Loons’ offense has been on another level lately. A unique combination of profiles up top has given them an edge that any team would struggle to handle, and it’s wonderful to watch. Between the game-breaking speed of Bongokuhle Hlongwane and the expert-level movement of Teemu Pukki, the Black and Blue have options to move the ball forward. The recent use of Hassani Dotson at left wing has added even more defensive workrate higher up the pitch, making it easier for MNUFC to win the ball higher up the pitch and start their attacks in the attacking third. Drop Emanuel Reynoso behind those three, and you’ve got a well-oiled, goal-scoring, game-winning machine. Keep the band together for the next match; they’re making sweet, sweet music.
