Whitecaps Face Tough Test Away to Minnesota United

Multiple MLS matches are on the schedule on Sunday morning, with Minnesota United hosting the Vancouver Whitecaps in one of them. Vancouver have seen their form dip recently, and even against a Minnesota side that has also struggled of late, the visitors may have to settle for a draw at best.

Minnesota United have been fairly ordinary this season. After 16 league matches, they have posted a middling record of 6 wins, 4 draws and 6 defeats. Their weak home form is the biggest issue they need to solve urgently. From seven home league games, they have collected only nine points, putting them among the poorer home sides in MLS. A lack of attacking threat at home has been the main reason, with the team averaging just 0.86 goals per game on their own ground, one of the lowest figures in the league. Kevin Yeboah and the rest of the attacking unit need to produce more when playing at home. Even against an out-of-form Whitecaps side this round, Minnesota would likely be satisfied just to take something from the game. On the team news front, Nicolas Romero, Carlos Harvey and others are unavailable for various reasons.

Vancouver Whitecaps have performed far better overall than Minnesota United this season. From 15 MLS matches, they have recorded an impressive 10 wins, 2 draws and 3 defeats, keeping them near the top of the Western Conference standings. Their potent attack has been the key to their results, as they are averaging as many as 2.47 goals per game, and even away from home that number stands at 2.29. Brian White is Vancouver's leading scorer, with 10 goals in 15 league appearances. However, he was below par in the previous match against FC Cincinnati and was among the team's poorest performers, which was one of the reasons Vancouver lost that game. If Brian White cannot rediscover his form, taking all three points here will be extremely difficult for the Whitecaps. As for absences, R. Paes and E. Sabbi are among those sidelined through injury.