MLS did not do Minnesota United any favors with its schedule to start the 2026 season.
The Loons have five of their opening seven matches on the road and the competition in that stretch includes some of the league’s toughest teams.
After a season-opening draw at Austin FC, Minnesota (1-0-1, 4 points) was able to beat FC Cincinnati 1-0 in its home opener at Allianz Field last Saturday. Cincinnati finished second in the Supporters Shield standings last season, while Austin made the MLS Cup Playoffs in 2025.
MNUFC now heads to Nashville SC for Saturday’s match, followed by a trip to Canada to play MLS Cup finalist Vancouver on March 14. The Loons host rival Seattle Sounders on March 22 and go on the road to face revamped L.A. Galaxy on April 4. The stretch ends April 11 at San Diego, which set MLS records for an expansion side last year.
“Ultimately, you would rather be battle-tested early and see what the group is made of, see how we can course correct and move forward,” Wil Trapp said Tuesday. “To get points as we have and take the next one in stride, hopefully, it’s a good mentality test for us.”
Trapp compared this year’s slate to 2024, when the Loons played another tier of top teams including LAFC, the Columbus Crew, Philadelphia Union and Orlando City. In both years, the Loons opened the campaign at Austin FC.
The Loons averaged two points per game across that start in 2024, but even somewhere around 1.5 points per match across this stretch would be an outstanding start.
Leagues Cup schedule
The Loons will host all three of their Leagues Cup group-stage matches at Allianz Field in early August. MNUFC play play FC Juarez on Aug. 4, Tigres UANL on Aug. 7 and Mazatlan FC on Aug. 11.
The Leagues Cup rankings has Tigres at No. 2 overall, followed by Minnesota (13), Juarez (23) and Mazatlan (34).
The top four teams from each league advance to the knockout round, putting the bar extremely high to advance. Last year, MLS teams needed at least seven points from three games to move on. Minnesota had four and was eliminated before quarterfinals.
United qualified for this year’s 36-team tournament with Mexico’s Liga MX by making the MLS Cup Playoffs last season. MLS has 18 clubs in the field, while all 18 Liga MX clubs are in it.
This year’s Leagues Cup kickoff times and broadcast details will be shared later.
Briefly
Loons captain Michael Boxall was absent from training to start the week due to an adductor issue and getting hit in the eye by Cincinnati’s Tom Barlow in the 1-0 win on Saturday. MNUFC coach Cameron Knowles said the Loons “want to be smart with (Boxall) at the beginning of the week.” … New winger Mauricio Gonzalez has obtained his work visa and traveled to Minnesota to go through physical exams. The Colombian is projected to join Loons’ first-team training sessions next week. … Honduran forward Alberth Elis continued his trial run with MNUFC this week. The 30-year-old, who starred with Houston Dynamo, is attempting a comeback from a scary head injury suffered in February 2024.
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