Playoff Preview: MN United vs Portland

2021 Record MIN: 13-11-10 (3-7-7 on the road) POR: 17-13-4 (11-4-2 at home)

(Nov. 20, 2021) – The last time the Loons were on the pitch, they were playing for a spot in the playoffs against the LA Galaxy on Decision Day. To make it in, MNUFC needed to either secure a win or tie in Los Angeles. With goals from Adrien Hunou, Robin Lod, and an own goal from Julian Araujo, MNUFC were able to come away with a 3-3 draw and clinch a spot in the playoffs and eliminate the Galaxy. Next up, the Loons will take on the Portland Timbers at Providence Park this Sunday in Round One of the 2021 playoffs. No matter what the result of Portland’s Decision Day game against Austin FC had been, the Timbers were already locked into fourth place. Despite having a guaranteed home game in the postseason, Portland still played as though they had everything to lose against Austin and won with a convincing 3-0 scoreline over the MLS newcomers. With two weeks between Decision Day and this Sunday’s kickoff, both sides should be well-rested and ready to leave it all on the field in hopes of extending their 2021 campaigns.

HEAD COACH ADRIAN HEATH ON BALANCING INTENSITY AND REST “Last week was a little bit of rest. When we got back from LA, we had two or three days off, then we didn’t do a lot of physical work. This week, we’ve started to ramp it up a little bit. I said to the guys, ‘Listen, enjoy a few days off but don’t take your eyes off what the prize is in a week on Sunday.’ There’s been a really good vibe in the group, with what’s coming. Big game for us. We’ve proved before we can go on the road and win in playoff situations. We know what’s at stake.” GOALKEEPER TYLER MILLER ON MINNESOTA’S GOOD RECORD AGAINST PORTLAND “Portland is a special team. They’ve always given us a true test and we’ve gotten some really good results against them in the last two years. Our ability to really stay disciplined when we’re [at Providence Park] has helped us a lot. We were fortunate to score in the first minute of the game the last time we went there and hung on for the 1-0 win. But for us, they’re a different team now. They have [Sebastian] Blanco back and he’s playing much better and they’re putting pieces together at the right time. They’re a dangerous team to play against right now but I think we’re all very confident in our own ability.” THE OPPOSITION The Portland Timbers have been a part of MLS for a decade and in that time, they’ve made it to the postseason seven times. Despite that history of reaching the playoffs, the Timbers have struggled to gain much momentum once they reach the postseason. Other than their two appearances in the MLS Cup Final, Portland has either been eliminated after their first game or only won a single postseason game. While the Loons have a much shorter history to reflect upon, their third consecutive playoff appearance means they’ve now reached the postseason more often than not in their five-year history. The upshot of this is that Portland are still looking to prove their playoff mettle and that starts with not looking past Minnesota United — a team that’s taken their last two games at Providence Park with confidence. With a lethal blend of talent and experience up front, the Timbers will be aiming to get out in front early to take the pressure off a defense that’s looked porous at times throughout the year.