With ten games remaining in the MLS regular season, Minnesota United is currently sitting at 9-7-8, and currently in seventh place in the western conference. Only seven teams qualify for the playoffs from each conference, and the team is one point and one game ahead of LAFC. The next couple games will define what the postseason will look like. Minnesota United is in hopes to make a third player appearance in the team’s fifth season in the MLS.

Minnesota United had high hopes going into this season from the coaches, players, and fans. Last year, the team made it to the conference finals against Seattle where they were winning 2-1 in the 89th minute and ended up losing 3-2 in the 93rd minute. After the heartbreaking loss, fans quickly gathered around the team for next season. The fans gathered around them through tailgating, supporting them at games, and supporting them around the city. With most of the team returning, high expectations were pressured onto the team from the first game. Through the first three weeks, the team was 0-4 and right away made the fans think that this was going to be a disappointing season.

However, after the first week of May, the team started to find their identity and get back on the winning track. With big results against Portland and Seattle, two powerhouse teams in the MLS, the buzz of the team was back in this city. The stars consist of Emmanuel Reynoso, Will Trapp, and Michael Boxall. Reynoso usually plays attacking midfield or as a winger, and he is arguably the most skilled player in the league. His skills are being a playmaker, goal scorer, and dribbler. Trapp is a solid player in the midfield who is a simple ball distributor and defender. Lastly, Boxall is the rock in the back who is a menace in the air, great defender, and will put his body on the line for the team.

With ten games left, the team is looking even stronger as playoff hopes still remain. The team has some winnable games coming up against the Houston Dynamo, FC Dallas, Austin FC, and the Vancouver Whitecaps FC. Through the stretch of the final ten games, there are some tough opponents in the mix. These teams consist of the Colorado Rapids, Philadelphia Union, Sporting Kansas City, LA Galaxy, and due to standings a huge game against LAFC. I believe that the team will win all of the winnable games that I listed, but I also think that they will lose to Colorado, Kansas City, and Philadelphia. Even with these losses the team should still qualify for the playoffs in either the seventh or eighth playoff spot in the western conference. I think based on how the team has been playing, they can really make a run into the playoffs like they did last year.