Each Major League Soccer matchday in 2021, the KeyBank Scouting Report will give you a snapshot of the Portland Timbers’ next opponent. This Saturday, the host Minnesota United FC at Providence Park. Kickoff time has been moved to 8pm PT with a broadcast on ROOT SPORTS.
Check out the latest on increased capacity policies and water and cooling stations for the match.
Team Form
Entering Saturday’s match, Minnesota United is currently sitting at ninth place in the Western Conference with a mark of 3-4-2 in the regular season campaign, and 0-2-2 on the road. They’ve only allowed two goals in their last five matches dating back to May 12, and have scored in six consecutive matches, dating back to May 1. In their last match, they shutout Austin 2-0 at home. Seven different Loons have scored this season, and only two players have multiple goals (x2 Robin Lod, Franco Fragapane).
In attack
While the aforementioned Lod and Fragapane lead the team with two goals apiece, among Minnesota's more dangerous individuals is midfield Designated Player Emanual Reynoso. The Argentine playmaker has one goal and an assist this year through eight games but last year, after coming over from Boca Juniors in September, Reynoso had a goal and seven assists in 13 matches.
Minnesota United assistant coach Sean McAuley (USA Today Sports Images)
Familiar Faces
The Loons have a number of familiar faces to Portland fans, particularly in the technical staff. MNUFC's Director of Player Personnel Amos Magee was a Timbers assistant coach from 2009 to 2013 straddling the club's USL era and MLS beginnings. During that time, he was also the head coach of the Timbers Reserves.
On the sidelines, Minnesota assistant coach Sean McAuley was both a Timbers player (2002) and a Timbers assistant coach (2012-2018). McAuley was part of the club's 2015 MLS Cup campaign and many will remember his rendition of "Don't Stop Believin'" at the team's Cup celebration at Providence Park.
Another member of that 2015 MLS Cup staff is now Minnesota's Senior Video Analyst: Cameron Knowles. Knowles was a centerback for Portland from 2007-2010 during the club's USL era and later became an assist coach with the MLS Timbers (2012-2017). He coached the Timbers Reserves from 2014-2017 and was the head coach of Timbers 2 from 2018 to 2020.
While currently on loan with the Tampa Bay Rowdies, Minnesota's roster includes former Timbers Homegrown forward Foster Langsdorf.
In Goal
Goalkeeping duties this year have been split between Tyler Miller (three clean sheets in five matches) and Dayne St. Clair. St. Clair just earned his first international cap for Canada and backstopped them to a 7-0 win over Aruba in World Cup qualifying on June 5.
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