SOCCER: Improving Minnesota United aim to snag win at Crew

Despite a pair of losses, Minnesota United coach Cameron Knowles is optimistic about grabbing a historic win at the Columbus Crew on Saturday.

Minnesota United seek their first win in Columbus since joining the league in 2017, but due to quirks in the schedule they have played there only twice -- losses in 2018 and 2020 -- and have not played in the Crew's current stadium since it opened in 2021.

The Loons (5-3-2, 17 points) had a four-match MLS winning streak snapped in a 1-0 loss to Los Angeles FC on April 25, followed by a 4-2 defeat in the U.S. Open Cup at San Jose on Tuesday despite leading the Earthquakes 2-1 in the second half.

It so happens San Jose and LAFC are ranked first and fourth, respectively, in the overall league standings and Knowles sees positives despite the setbacks.

"The guys can take a lot a pride in knowing we can compete against any team in this league anywhere," he said. "We should take so much confidence in our ability to go into some really difficult environments and to play difficult teams and know that we can compete against all of them."

While the Crew (3-4-3, 12 points) don't match the quality of San Jose or LAFC in terms of points, they have finally found their footing under first-year coach Henrik Rydstrom with two consecutive wins in MLS play and a 5-1-1 record in their past seven matches in all competitions.

They are getting results despite losing leading scorer Wessam Abou Ali (five goals) to a season-ending knee injury April 12.

Rydstrom is looking for midfielder Hugo Picard to be among those contributing. Picard had two goals apiece in Open Cup wins against lower-tier clubs Richmond and Knoxville this season but has yet to score in 18 career MLS matches.

"What I really like is that he challenges his opponent," Rydstrom said. "He missed some situations in the beginning (against Knoxville), but he just keeps going. For him, now it's to take that step into the MLS because he's so good, he can do it no matter the opponent."

The match will be a homecoming for Minnesota's Wil Trapp. The Columbus native played for the Crew from 2013 to 2019 and was the captain his final three seasons.

-Field Level Media/Reuters