Eric Ramsay is wanting ahead to the problem Minnesota United face after they journey to Seattle Sounders within the MLS on Saturday.
Minnesota are third within the Western Convention, having misplaced simply certainly one of their final 9 matches within the competitors.
With leaders Actual Salt Lake simply 4 factors in entrance of them, the Loons want to carry on the strain, however they’ve by no means earned a degree when travelling to Seattle.
Nevertheless, Ramsey is assured his workforce can put that historical past behind them after watching them rise to challenges all through the season.
“It’s a problem that we will go and meet head-on,” he stated. “We’ve met challenges all over this season in that means.
“I can solely think about it’s a optimistic, if something. I stated to the group that each time they’ve been requested to rise to the event, largely they’ve performed that.
“Going to a spot like that, the place we clearly discover it tough – we have now an enormous few days that would arguably outline the upcoming interval.”
In the meantime, Seattle have gained simply certainly one of their final 5 outings and sit exterior the playoff locations within the desk.
Captain Stefan Frei admitted it’s powerful to look on the brilliant aspect after their poor run, however is hopeful they’ll get themselves out of hassle.
“Discovering optimistic issues has been exhausting this yr. Discovering frustration may be very simple,” stated Frei. “Discovering negatives may be very simple.
“However you can not succumb to that as a result of no good will come from it. You’ve received to maintain looking for positives and, if not, create them in order that we will all discover a means out of this gap. At the same time as a person, to discover a means by means of it, so you may assist the remainder of the workforce.”
Sang Bin the shooter pic.twitter.com/5Gu8bKcIPi
— Minnesota United FC (@MNUFC) June 11, 2024
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Seattle Sounders – Stefan Frei
Seattle conceded the game-winning objective to Kansas Metropolis within the eighty fifth minute on Saturday in a 2-1 defeat.
The Sounders have allowed a result-changing objective within the final 10 minutes 5 occasions this season, together with in three of their final 4 regular-season matches (two equalizers, one winner). Stefan Frei might be aiming to keep away from conceding one other late objective on Saturday.
Minnesota United – Hassani Dotson
Dotson scored simply his second objective of the season in Minnesota’s 1-1 draw with FC Dallas final day out. Solely 5 gamers for the Loons have netted extra occasions than him this season.
MATCH PREDICTION: SEATTLE SOUNDERS WIN
The Sounders have gained all eight of their residence matches in opposition to Minnesota United (incl. playoffs). The longest residence successful streak by one workforce over one other in MLS play (incl. playoffs) is 9 straight, performed 5 occasions, most lately by Philadelphia Union in opposition to D.C. United (2015-22).
Six of Seattle’s final eight residence MLS matches have resulted in attracts (W1 L1), together with the final three in a row. Relationship again to final June, the Sounders have break up the factors in 10 of their final 15 residence league video games.
In the meantime, Minnesota have misplaced solely certainly one of their final 9 regular-season matches (W5 D3) following a 1-1 draw with FC Dallas on Saturday. The Loons enter their seventeenth match of the season with simply three defeats this yr after having by no means had fewer than 5 losses within the first half of a full season earlier than.
OPTA WIN PROBABILITY
Seattle Sounders – 41.6%
Draw – 26.7%
Minnesota United – 31.8%