Minnesota United v FC Dallas: Estevez hoping to change luck against high-flying Loons

Nico Estevez believes FC Dallas are building towards a big result against a top team as they travel to Minnesota United on Saturday.

Dallas are winless in their last four games and have not won on the road yet this season, leaving them 12th in the Western Conference with 13 points.

Estevez said he was pleased with the performances he has seen away from home so far and is hopeful they can turn that into their first win.

“I think it’s important because overall, we have performed very well against the top teams in the West,” said Estevez, as quoted by the Big D Soccer substack.

“I think we were unlucky not to have more points than we have. We have to take those positives, but as I said to the guys, is all these little steps that we are making, and we’re feeling better about how we’re competing against top teams.”

Meanwhile, Minnesota got back to winning ways last Saturday with a 3-1 victory over Sporting Kansas City.

With other teams around them not playing this weekend, the Loons have the opportunity to leapfrog Los Angeles FC into second and close the gap to leaders Real Salt Lake to two points.

They are missing players due to international duty, but head coach Eric Ramsay is confident his side are in a good position to get a positive result.

“We will do what we can [against Dallas] with a group of very hungry players, but it’s a testing position [to be without so many players through internationals],” said Ramsay.

“Hopefully our squad is stronger for that. We’ve given ourselves a bit of breathing space [with the win last weekend], but I’m genuinely excited about how we shape up and see what we can produce.”

Pushing for a response.@TheSolarScouts | #DTID pic.twitter.com/cBEQCPptAd

— FC Dallas (@FCDallas) June 6, 2024

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Minnesota United – Robin Lod

Lod came off the bench to score against Kansas City on Saturday, his seventh straight regular-season home match with a goal contribution, tying Darwin Quintero for the second-longest run in club history.

Only Lod himself has had a longer streak, contributing to a goal in 13 straight at home in 2020-21.

FC Dallas – Asier Illarramendi

Illarramendi completed 91 of his 99 pass attempts at Los Angeles FC on Saturday. The last Dallas player to complete more passes in an away match was Javier Morales (96) at Colorado in October 2017.

MATCH PREDICTION: MINNESOTA UNITED WIN

Minnesota have only lost one of their last 10 meetings with Dallas (W5 D4, incl. playoffs) dating back to September 2020. Dallas had won five of the first seven meetings between the sides prior to September 2020 (L2).

The Loons’ win over Sporting Kansas City on Saturday took them to 28 points from 15 matches this season, six more than they have ever had at this stage of a season in club history.

Meanwhile, Dallas are winless in their first eight away matches this season (D2 L6), equaling the second-longest road winless run to begin a season in club history (also eight in 2012). Dallas only went longer before a road win in 2000, failing to win any of their first 11 away from home that year.

OPTA WIN PROBABILITY

Minnesota United – 53%

Draw – 24%

FC Dallas – 23%