Edmonton currently sits seven points ahead of Minnesota in the fall table, and has a game in hand over the Loons. That The Miami FC is now level with Minnesota on points, and a game in hand, is less a concern than it appears.

While it is still possible either Minnesota or Miami could make a run and unseat the Eddies in the fall, the Loons’ most probable path to the postseason appears to be fourth place in the combined table. Indy, New York and Edmonton have established themselves as a distinct top three two-thirds of the way through the regular season. Minnesota currently sits on 31 points through 20 games, with the next closest team Carolina, who have earned 26 in 19.

Tepid is the mood of the day. The Loons’ current run of form has damned enthusiasm, but the team remains well positioned to return to the postseason, and none of the teams directly beneath the Loons in the combined table seem particularly motivated to unseat Minnesota at present.

Recent Form

Miami	W	W	L	W	D	+4 GD	2.0 PPG
MNUFC	D	L	L	W	D	-3 GD	1.0 PPG

Previous Meetings

The all-time series is tied 1-0-1, with Miami having scored five goals to Minnesota’s three over two games in Blaine. The Loons recorded a 3-1 victory to close out the Spring Season, then suffered an embarrassing 4-0 defeat on August 6. Midseason acquisitions Richie Ryan and Michael Lahoud took part in the first match, but Kwadwo Poku, Gabriel Farfán and Jonny Steele did not play for Miami against Minnesota until the August rematch.

The Loons play the Miami FC away for the first time on Saturday.

Officials

Referee	Luis Guardia
Assistant	Eric Weisbrod
Assistant	Hayden Oscanoa
Fourth	Luis Casas

Roster Report

Per Jeff Rueter’s training notes from Friday, Danny Cruz (varied injuries) and Stefano Pinho (ankle) are unavailable for selection. Greg Jordan and Bernardo Añor are still recovering from lengthy injuries. Ibson will serve the first half of a two-game suspension after putting his studs into the midsection of the Jacksonville Armada’s Kevan George.

Tiago Calvano is questionable to play, and while making steady progress in his return from a knee injury, Kevin Venegas has been ruled out of Saturday’s contest.

As for the Miami FC, Ryan and Lahoud will be out for tonight’s matchup. Jonny Steele is questionable after a post-aerial collision fall on his head in the midweek match.

Miami: Last Time Out

Last weekend, in Miami’s 2-1 victory at Rayo OKC, Alessandro Nesta made use of a wide 4-4-2 diamond. The starting XI consisted of goalkeeper Daniel Vega, right back Jonathan Borrajo, center backs Rhett Bernstein and Mason Trafford, left back Gabriel Farfán, holding midfielder Wilson Palacios, right midfielder Jonny Steele, central attacking midfielder Kwadwo Poku, left midfielder Blake Smith, and the strike partnership of Ariel Martinez and Dario Cvitanich.

In Wednesday’s scoreless draw away to Ottawa, Nesta chose to rest Martinez, Cvitanich and Palacios. Steele was moved back to holding midfielder as Conner Rezende was inserted on the right of the Melos’ midfield diamond. Dane Richards played support striker to former Loon Pablo Campos up top.

Steele was forced from the game early, landing awkwardly after being upended, and injuring his neck. Adaílton replaced Steele.

Though never easy to pick up three points at TD Place, the Miami FC have to be disappointed with tying a Fury side that—due to a number of injuries and a suspension to midfielder James Bailey—could only dress 12 first-team field players. Much like Minnesota’s scoreless draw away to Jacksonville last weekend, the affair was a dull one, producing only five shots on target and few real threats on goal.

Matchup

For all the abuse heaped on Jonny Steele by fans in Minnesota, his absence will negatively impact Miami. Though also absent during Miami’s 4-0 drubbing of Minnesota, Ryan’s presence in midfield is also a notable absence. Palacios is a more than capable stand in, but is not the same type of field general.

It would make sense that Palacios, Martinez, and Cvitanich return to Nesta’s starting XI, with it otherwise unchanged from midweek. Containing Poku should be the Loons’ plan on defense, especially so with Steele out and Miami likely to rely on Smith and Rezende on the outside edges of its midfield diamond.

On attack, Minnesota needs to figure out a way to threaten goal without the services of Pinho, Cruz, Venegas, and Ibson. Players like Justin Davis and Ben Speas will need to step up, as will whichever squad players are given starts on the wings. Christian Ramirez is a composed finisher, but needs service to be effective, rarely breaking down defenders one-on-one.

The Loons have scored just three goals over their last five contests. Even accounting for injuries and oppressive heat in a mid-afternoon affair in Jacksonville,  Carl Craig has to get more production out of his team.