New York City FC v Minnesota United: Visitors 'suit' flying under the radar, says Ramsay

Eric Ramsay says it suits Minnesota United to be flying under the radar in MLS this season as they look to build on their positive start against New York City FC on Sunday.

Minnesota are currently fourth in the Western Conference on 11 points, having gone unbeaten in their last five matches since losing their opener to Los Angeles FC.

After back-to-back draws, the Loons got back to winning ways against Real Salt Lake last weekend, running out 2-0 winners, but despite a positive start, they have not drawn too much attention.

Ramsay does not mind that, though, and is aiming to keep their momentum going with back-to-back games against teams from the East, as they also face Toronto FC soon.

"We're quite happy with that," said Ramsay about his team flying under the radar. "I think that suits us, to an extent.

"I feel like these two games are important for us in the sense that they're two games against sides from over the way, the other side [the Eastern Conference].

"I feel like we've almost got a bit of a free hit at those two games, and I'm excited to see what we end up with."

NYCFC, meanwhile, are 10th in the East, having won two, drawn two and lost two of their opening six matches.

Both of their wins have come on home soil, with NYCFC going winless since their last outing at Yankee Stadium, and they threw away a two-goal lead to lose 4-3 against Atlanta United last time out.

Head coach Pascal Jansen is expecting another tough test against Minnesota and urged his team to find control to smother their visitors' counter-attacking style.

"They've been very successful going into MLS this season, and we want to control the game," he said.

"We have to find a good balance, but basically, controlling the counter while we're in possession is the biggest challenge for us.

"It's interesting to see that their strategy is very successful going into game seven, and that's why we need to take away that part of the game where they've been very successful so far."

PLAYERS TO WATCH

New York City FC – Alonso Martinez

Alonso Martinez has scored in four straight regular-season home matches for NYCFC, dating back to the end of last season.

The only player with a longer streak in club history is David Villa (who had two six-match streaks in 2016 and 2017).

Minnesota United – Tani Oluwaseyi

Minnesota United have had a player score multiple goals in three straight matches for the first time in club history (Tani Oluwaseyi twice, Kelvin Yeboah once).

Only three teams in MLS history have gone four straight games with at least one player scoring multiple goals, most recently Nashville SC in 2022.

MATCH PREDICTION: NEW YORK CITY FC WIN

The five all-time meetings between New York City FC and Minnesota United have been split, with each side winning twice (D1). Both sides have won once at home and once away, with each team scoring eight times over the five matches.

New York City FC lost a two-goal lead in a 4-3 defeat to Atlanta United last week, the first time NYCFC lost a match in which they led by two goals. NYCFC had a record of W97 D6 L0 (incl. playoffs) when leading by two or more goals before that defeat.

After losing their opening match of the season in February, Minnesota United went unbeaten in five matches in March (W3 D2), collecting 11 points. Only Inter Miami (12) earned more points in March than the Loons.

OPTA WIN PROBABILITY

New York City FC – 46.4%

Draw – 26.5%

Minnesota United – 27.1%