United travel to Minnesota to take on United on Saturday, July 29, for the final road match of a month laden with frequent flyer miles. The Black-and-Red have traveled to Montreal, Dallas and Seattle prior to the first-ever meeting with the Loons, and now face the expansion side at TCF Bank Stadium at 8 PM ET.
Ben Olsen's side will look to get back on track against Adrian Heath and Minnesota, who have only won twice in their last 11 matches. Forward Deshorn Brown, who United acquired earlier this summer, has helped spark the offense, scoring in back-to-back matches and stretching opponents' back lines.
Speaking of back lines, Minnesota's has a new face: New Zealand international Michael Boxall, who signed with the Loons fresh off a stint with the Kiwis at the FIFA Confederations Cup. The 28-year-old previously played for the Vancouver Whitecaps. Heath also welcomed 22-year-old winger Sam Nicholson from the Scottish Premier League, who made his first start in their loss to the New York Red Bulls last weekend. Fullbacks Taylor Kemp and Chris Korb will be tasked with pressing Minnesota's wide players back, along with Lloyd Sam and Patrick Nyarko, and whipping crosses into the penalty area for Brown and co.
“We have a good team and we know that, we just haven’t played to our standards that I know we can play to," Steve Birnbaum told reporters this week. "It’s self-evaluation and if we go into the weekend knowing that if we play our game we can get a result.”
United travel to the Twin Cities armed with a good record against expansion sides in their first season, 21-9-3, including two wins against Atlanta United FC this year.
Following the match, United return home to the District for back-to-back home matches, starting on August 5 against Toronto FC.
