Orlando City SC doesn’t hold many secrets for Minnesota United FC coach Adrian Heath, who coached the team for six years before joining the expansion club in 2017. The tournament semi-final “The MLS is back” between the two formations, Thursday, will surely be special for the Englishman.
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Heath spent a season and a half at the helm of Orlando after arriving in Major League Soccer (MLS) in 2015. Never has he come so close to a trophy in MLS as this year with Minnesota United FC, which surprises since 2019.
“I’ve known Adrian for years. I have a lot of respect for him. […] I admire Adrian for his experience and the hard work he has done, and continues to do, ”Orlando coach Oscar Pareja told the“ Orlando Sentinel ”daily on Monday.
Interestingly, this kind of lost Heath’s previous job, when his FC Dallas defeated Orlando 4-0. He was sacked just after the July 4th meeting. 2016.
Several cripples
Heath therefore doesn’t have much to learn from Orlando training. However, he can be happy – or not – the absence of the fiery striker Dominic Dwyer through injury. “I have a great relationship with the ‘kid’; I really appreciate it, said the 59-year-old instructor. I like him as much on the field as off. And I know this year was important to him. He worked very hard in the off-season to be in great shape, so it’s a shame. ”
For Minnesota, Kevin Molino will be back, while a groin injury should always keep reliable defenseman Romain Metanire from seeing action in Orlando.
For his part, Pareja confirmed that forward Chris Mueller attended Sunday training after injuring his left shoulder in the game against Los Angeles FC. He also hopes to be able to count on defender Robin Jansson, who played a very physical 80 minutes before injuring his lower body.
It remains to be seen if the “Loons” will be able to overcome the Pedro Gallese wall in the semi-finals. The Peruvian goalkeeper has allowed just four goals in five games in this tournament. He particularly stood out against LAFC by blocking four shots and not letting anything pass during the penalty shootout.
The Minnesota attack has some strong arguments, however. In the quarter-final game won 4-1 against the San Jose Earthquakes, four different players found the back of the net.
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