Good Wednesday morning, Andrew here broadcasting from Ambergris Caye, Belize. There isn’t going to be a big analysis of the opposition this time around; no calculated plan for a takedown of the visitors. It’s cliche, but form does truly often go out the window in derbies and cup matches. The tactics and strategy goes back to what Eric Leonard said when we talked with him earlier this week:
There’s a reason those guys are there and they’re not where we are. So in order to match them, and if we want to beat them, we need to do our things as a team that work for us to the highest level.
– Eric Leonard
Minnesota is first division, sure. If we look at form, Loons are fresh off a 3-2 victory over the Rapids, after 2 losses to Austin and Seattle. They’re solidly mid-table in the Western MLS division after seven league games, but are 4th lowest in MLS for goals conceded (6 total in the 2022 MLS season). They’re also 20/28 teams for goals scored per game (Chicago is dead last). Similar to Madison, the Loons have struggled to create and put away chances this season, and according to Fotmob have created 8 big chances this season, missing all of them.
That to say, these teams are more evenly matched than some may realize, and if our guys want to pull off what many would consider an upset, our defense has to be compact and laser-focused on stifling MNUFC’s creativity. Part of me thinks Streng will get the nod tonight, as will Cassini, two players who haven’t yet seen a full 90 minutes. We can be sure they’ll be hungry to impress playing a competitive match against a first division side, and I hope can find their shooting boots in the process. We’ve seen flashes of their quality, and if there was a time to establish some consistency or that extra gear Coach Glaeser talked about last week, tonight is the night.
Overall, this is an incredibly big moment for our club. We’re hosting a first division side for the first time, and I’m sure the weight of it doesn’t escape club staff, especially those who have been here from the start. We’ll have our first proper away contingent visiting Breese, and having drummed in the Wonderwall at Allianz, I can guarantee despite the weeknight scheduling, they’re going to be as loud as the game dictates. We know Eric Leonard is keyed up, and for those of you in attendance tonight, our guys will need every last ounce of positivity and energy you have.
it’s going to need to be fast, the speed of play is going to have to be as high as it’s ever been
– Eric Leonard
Hearkening back to what Eric said earlier, as fans we can do our part to do what we usually do to get behind the team, but the best we can possibly do it. Expect the songs to be extra fast tonight. Get into it. And somebody — for fuck’s sake — somebody better be complaining to Dan & Steve all night about not playing fast enough 😘. Sing it loud until your throat hurts, neck back a gulp of your rain-diluted beer, and then sing some more. Give Dayne St. Clair hell between the sticks, and remember — he’s not our player anymore, hasn’t been for 3 years now — just don’t say anything bad about Tim Hortons or Drake or poutine because that’s only going to fuel his fire.
If you’re at Breese tonight, leave it all out there — and I know it’s a school night, I get it, but if you play your cards right you’ll be home by 10 with a nightcap to calm the nerves and catch a solid 6-7 hours of sleep before your Thursday. So, as I was saying: bring a friend, be loud — really leave it all out there — because you know our guys will do the same.
I’ll be watching from roughly 18°N, my feet in the warm sand, wishing I could be back in cold, rainy Madison just for tonight. This is why I go to therapy Breese therapy. Here’s to a hopeful upset tonight, Flamingos firmly in the driver’s seat.
Up the fucking ‘gos.
