Loons vs. Portland: Keys to the match, projected lineup and a prediction

Minnesota United vs. Portland Timbers

When: 7:30 p.m. Saturday
Where: Allianz Field
Stream: MLS Season Pass on Apple TV
Radio: KSTP-AM, 1500
Weather: 29 degrees, mostly clear skies, 13 mph winds

Form: MNUFC (3-2-2, 11 points) are unbeaten in its last four competitions after a 2-1 win over San Diego in MLS play last Saturday and a shootout victory against Sacramento Republic in the U.S. Open Cup round of 32.

“We’ve been on the road and it’s going to feel great to come home,” head coach Cameron Knowles said. “We’ve got some good results in the league and in the cup, to keep advancing in that (and it) brings a lot of confidence to the group.”

Portland (2-4-1, 7 points) has been underwhelming on the season but handed high-flying LAFC its first loss of the year last weekend. Timbers, who have two losses against first-place Vancouver, are rested after not playing in the Open Cup midweek.

“They are far better than their standing in the league suggest,” Knowles said. “They have a really talented team. They have improved their roster this year. … They have that good win against LAFC, but you look back at the games and you can’t just look at results, you have to look at performances. They have had some really strong performances.”

Stats: The Loons have never lost to Portland in nine matches held in Minnesota, stacking up a 7-0-2 record since playing at TFC Bank Stadium in 2017. Minnesota is 1-0-1 in two matches in St. Paul this year.

Absences: Michael Boxall (adductor) and Julian Gressel (toe) are out.

Projected starting XI: CF Kelvin Yeboah; AM Tomas Chancalay, AM Joaquin Pereyra; CM Owen Gene, CM ; LWB , CB Nico Romero, CB , CB Jefferson Diaz, RWB Kyle Duncan; GK .