Minnesota United FC vs. Austin FC – Football Match Prediction – June 22, 2024

After back-to-back road losses in Seattle and Dallas, Minnesota United returns home to Saint Paul, Minn. — where they have lost just once in nine games this season — and the hosts Austin FC Saturday night.

The Loons (8-5-5, 29 points) are 4-1-4 at home while Austin FC (6-7-6, 24 points) are just 1-5-3 on the road. It’s a rematch of Minnesota’s 2-1 season-opening win in Austin on Feb. 24.

Minnesota is coming off an ugly 5-3 loss in the FC Dallas Wednesday. It was the most goals allowed in a game by the Loons since August 11, 2023, when they were shut out by Nashville 5-0 in a League Cup contest. The Loons had allowed a total of four goals in their previous three games, but gave up three goals in a 28-minute span of the second half to the Toros.

“If I was a betting man, I would have said we were going to be a strong defensive team tonight,” Minnesota coach Eric Ramsay said. “I thought if we had problems, it was more with how we used the ball. We created good periods of control in the game, really impressive in that area. But we conceded five goals. … When we made mistakes, we we were punished for this”.

Minnesota was without nine regular players due to international duty, injuries and suspensions. The goalkeeper was also included in the list Dayne St. Clair and leading scorer Now Oluwaseyiwho are playing for Canada in the Copa America, and the injured striker Teemu Pukki (knee).

Austin FC – winless in their last five games (0-3-2) – will play their third game in an eight-day stretch after drawing 1-1 with second-place Los Angeles FC on Wednesday.

The tie was broken LAFCHis six-match winning streak was bittersweet as the visitors equalized with their only shot on target in the 90th minute, a header from Kei Kamara. Jader Obrian scored in the 19th minute to give Austin an early lead.

“Guys battled and we weren’t able to get across the finish line,” Austin coach Josh Wolff said.

Austin will also be without two key players who have left for the Copa America to play with midfielder Dani Pereira (Venezuela) and protector Julio Cascante (Costa Rica). Another midfielder, Jojan Valenciawill miss the match for picking up a yellow card.

— Field level media