Earlier this year, we kept on going to California. Then, we decided it was nice enough outside to play a few games at Allianz Field. Now, we’re high-tailing it down to Texas’ capital to get another shot of that sweet, sweet southern warmth and a chance to see why they call it Bat City. Keep your eyes to the skies, traveling Loons, as 1.5 million Mexican free-tailed bats emerge from their home underneath the Congress Avenue Bridge just in time for kickoff. I can’t tell you why this is relevant, other than the fact that they’ll be in flight during the game and it’s the largest urban bat colony in North America. Now, soccer.
Minnesota United (4-2-4)
Run of Form: L-D-D-W-W
Your Loons put together an impressive start to 2025, but the tail end of their eight-game unbeaten run saw the wheels start to loosen ever so slightly. Two consecutive 0-0 draws emphasized the defensive solidity this team is capable of, while exposing a lack of cutting edge when counter attacks don’t go their way. Last weekend’s 3-1 home loss to Vancouver hopefully stung in a good way, alerting the Black and Blue to some shortcomings and showing them what it means to compete with the top of the league. Now, with a reinforcement joining from Miami and an established blueprint for one of the league’s most effective strategies, they’ll be looking to rediscover that special formula that saw them jump to the top of the Western Conference.
Austin FC (5-4-1)
Run of Form: L-W-L-D-W
I don’t think anyone really knows how Austin got here. Seven of their matches this year have been decided by a single goal, one was a 0-0 draw, one was a 2-0 loss to in-state rival Houston, and the other was a 5-1 beatdown at the hands of the Whitecaps. Of those seven games split by one goal, six finished with a scoreline of 1-0, and four of them saw El Tree take three points. It’s been a season that feels too good to be true, leaving plenty of people waiting for the other shoe to drop. It’s been tight; they’ve picked up some impressive wins (LAFC, San Diego) and lost to one of the league’s least inspiring teams (Houston). I doubt there will be much to separate these two teams on Saturday, regardless of which way the result falls, and given the way Austin has played in 2025, I could honestly see it going either way.
Keys to the Match:
What Did You Expect?
After 10 games in 2025, MNUFC boasts the third-best goal difference in the Western Conference (+2), behind just Vancouver (+13) and Portland (+5). If you dive a little deeper into the stats, you’ll see that they’ve actually got the fourth-best expected goal difference in the whole league (+5.8), taking into account xG and xGA to determine what a team’s GD should be based on the quality of chances created and conceded. What does this mean? The Loons have struck one of the league’s best balances between attacking and defending, and if they can rediscover that finishing touch that’s eluded them the last few games, they should theoretically be able to keep up with the top end of the league with their current style of play. The expected metrics are on our side; now, it’s just a matter of putting the proof into the pudding.
Meet the New Guy
Julian Gressel has arrived in Minnesota, and he’s already hit the training pitch. Coach Ramsay indicated during media availability that the versatile playmaker will be involved in some capacity this weekend, whether as a substitute or a starter, meaning Loons fans won’t have to wait long to see what their newest player has to offer the team. After a whirlwind week of travel and just a few days to integrate with his new teammates, it’ll be interesting to see how fresh and fit he is come game time. Will the Loons get an instant boost from his service out wide, or will he slide into the midfield to free up Robin Lod for more forward runs? However Gressel fits into this weekend’s plans, he’s going to change the way this team operates, and against another team near the top of the Western Conference standings, he could prove to be the creative spark that the Loons need to unlock another level of play.
Brick Wall Brad
Brad Stuver is among the league’s most talented keepers. After bouncing around for a few years following the 2013 MLS SuperDraft, going on loans and serving as a backup, he stepped into the limelight when he joined Austin in 2020. His turn as a starter came during the 2021 season, making 33 appearances and winning the club’s Defensive Player of the Year award. Since then, he’s consistently been among the best in the league, posting both the most saves (128) and the highest save percentage (72%) in 2024. His team allowed the most shots on goal last season, and if it weren’t for Stuver’s heroics, their 10th-place finish would’ve been even worse. For a Loons side that is currently struggling with finishing, it’s going to be quite the tall order to get past this guy. When faced with such a talented keeper, it’s best to go back to the basics; make the extra pass after drawing the opponent out of position, look to cross the ball and crash the box, and generally create a chaotic environment that forces Stuver to make decisions that the visitors can take advantage of.
